Meeting into opencast mine plans

The proposed mine would only be open for three years

A public meeting is to hear plans for an opencast mine on the outskirts of Gateshead which could see up to 100 lorries a day using the site.

County Durham-based Hall Construction wants to extract up to 48,000 tonnes of coal from Skon's Park between Burnopfield and the Gibside Estate.

But locals say it will damage the countryside and create extra traffic.

Gateshead's planning committee will hear objections at the meeting on Monday evening.

Hall Construction said the mine would only operate for three years then the 45-hectare site would be turned into woodland.

'Land restored'

Access to the mine would be via Fellside Road, which links Burnopfield and Whickham, and Hall Construction said nearly 100 extra vehicles a day would use the route.

Local councillor, Jonathan Wallace, who has launched a petition against the move, said: "It is a very prominent location next to the historic Gibside estate and close to towns and villages.

"These are villages without a bypass so the lorries would go through the heart of the villages and the main road is already very congested."

Mr Wallace wants the plans to be dropped altogether and said a reduced number of lorries each day would simply mean the site staying open longer.

Protesters also believe the mine would damage the tourism industry in the Derwent Valley.

Letters have been sent to thousands of local residents asking for their views on the proposals.

Hall Construction said earlier that it would only be using half of the 54-hectare site.

It said: "The land will be restored for agricultural use with new woodlands and hedgerows and new network of public bridleways greatly increasing public access to the area."