THE final decision on whether a new coal mine can go ahead in west Cumbria is back in the hands of Michael Gove, as he is re-appointed levelling up minister.

Mr Gove had been due to make a decision on the controversial scheme by July 7 but was sensationally sacked a day earlier by former Prime Minister Boris Johnson.

He has now been re-appointed to the role by new Prime Minister Rishi Sunak.

A spokesperson for the Department for Levelling Up, Housing and Communities has confirmed that a decision on the mine is still due to be be made on or before November 8.

Mike Starkie, mayor of Copeland, said he would be writing to Mr Gove again, urging him to approve the plans.

Mr Starkie said: “Michael Gove returning as levelling up secretary should certainly help in terms of continuity. He’ll be able to hit the ground running because he’s not been out of the department for that long.

“He’s well aware of all the circumstances around the mine and I would now hope as a result of him being back, it will add no further delays. I don’t see any reason now why this decision cannot be made imminently.”

David Moore, Copeland Conservatives leader, said: “I think it’s a really good appointment that he’s back in. He can hit the ground running now.

“He had all the stuff on his desk previously so we’re really optimistic now that he comes through with a good decision on it fairly quickly.”

A Friends of the Earth spokesperson said: “Prime Ministers and secretaries of state may keep changing but the facts against the coal mine remain the same.

“A new mine would send more climate-changing pollution into our atmosphere, it won’t replace imports of Russian coal and its market is rapidly declining as European steel makers move to greener production methods.

“Cumbria needs new jobs – and Rishi Sunak must do far more than his predecessors to create more employment by putting the area at the forefront of building the clean, homegrown and affordable energy future his government has promised.”

Plans for a mine off the coast of Whitehaven by West Cumbria Mining were approved three times by Cumbria County Council but in February 2021, the authority suspended its decision and the plans were called in.

A planning inquiry was held in September 2021 and a report was prepared by the planning inspector for Michael Gove to consider before making a final decision on the plans.

The original deadline of July 7 was then pushed back twice, to August 17 and then November 8, amid the Government crisis.

The proposed £160million mine would remove coking coal from beneath the Irish Sea for the production of steel in the UK and export to Europe.

Environmental campaigners, including Friends of the Earth, have strongly opposed the mine, saying it would increase carbon emissions and damage the UK’s climate credibility.

READ MORE: Decision on Cumbria coal mine delayed until November