Protest over opencast mine plans

The proposed mine would only be open for three year

Residents living near a planned opencast colliery in Gateshead say it will damage their villages.

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.

Hall Construction said the mine would only operate for three years then the land would be turned into woodland.

It also intending to hide the site from the public behind mounds of soil.

'Protected species'

Access to the mine will 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: "Fellside Road is already a busy road which carries heavy traffic loads directly through Lobley Hill.

"The colliery will also damage wildlife habitats including areas containing badgers, grass snakes and red squirrels which are protected species."

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

The application will be heard by Gateshead's planning committee next month.

A spokesman for the council said letters would be sent to thousands of local residents asking for their views on the proposals.

In a statement, Hall Construction said 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."