Opencast mine proposals rejected

Plans for an opencast mine are rejected by planners

Controversial plans for an opencast mine on the outskirts of Gateshead have been thrown out by councillors.

More than 16,000 protesters signed a petition against the scheme at Skon's Park between Burnopfield and the Gibside Estate.

County Durham-based, Hall Construction, wanted to extract 48,000 tonnes of coal from the site over three years.

But locals said it would damage the countryside and Gateshead Council rejected the plan on Wednesday.

A spokesman for Gateshead Council said its planning committee had voted unanimously to reject the proposed mine.

'Historic Gibside'

He said: "We invited Hall Construction to the meeting to put their case, but they did not turn up."

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

A spokesman said the firm would comment when it had been informed of the council's decision.

Access to the mine would have been via Fellside Road, which links Burnopfield and Whickham, and Hall Construction.

Local councillor, Jonathan Wallace, who launched a petition against the move, said the mine would have attracted an extra 100 lorries a day and clog up local roads.