CAMPAIGNERS against the new coal mine in West Cumbria will have their case heard in the High Court this week - as the new government says it won’t defend the plans.

The three-day hearing will examine legal challenges by Friends of the Earth and South Lakes Action on Climate Change (SLACC), who will argue that the decision approved under the last government in 2022 by Michael Gove, was ‘unlawful’.

On Thursday, the rebranded Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government, now run by Deputy Prime Minister Angela Rayner, confirmed it was dropping its defence of the Whitehaven coal mine.

However, the hearings will still proceed as West Cumbria Mining, the company behind the mine, confirmed on Friday that it will defend the legal challenges.

The government’s move follows a landmark Supreme Court judgment (Finch v Surrey County Council) last month which ruled that the environmental impact from burning fossil fuels must be considered in planning applications for new extraction projects – not just the impacts of the emissions produced in extracting them.

Friends of the Earth senior lawyer, Niall Toru, said: “Justification for this polluting and unnecessary coal mine is rapidly evaporating, and even the government now concedes that the decision to allow it to proceed was unlawful. We hope the court agrees and quashes planning permission.

 “This zombie coal mine would be a huge mistake for our environment, economy and international reputation. Rather than trying to breathe new life into a dying industry, coal should be left in the ground where it belongs, given the climate emergency.

“The new government must now focus on growing the green economy, with priority given to areas like West Cumbria to ensure they get the investment, jobs and opportunities they so urgently need.”

Brian O’Kane, a Whitehaven town councillor and supporter of the mine, said: “From my point of view, I think it’s a total disgrace that individuals like this throw everything into their debate about climate change.

“They’re entirely selfish in their views. There’s no consideration at all for workers in this situation.

"You would think the Labour Party would want to encourage investment and jobs within a northern area suffering from unemployment.

“I think it’s a disgrace these people would go to the ends of the earth to access as much money as possible to virtually destroy local employment. I just hope the High Court throws it all out and says the planning decision has already been made.”

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