Opencast mine proposal rejected

Controversial plans for an open cast mine in North West Leicestershire have been unanimously rejected.

UK Coal had wanted to mine 725,000 thousand tonnes of coal from the site at Long Moor near Ravenstone.

But people living near the site said the dust and noise would ruin the area, and Leicestershire County Council turned down the application.

UK Coal said the site would have been restored after mining and would have created 30 new jobs.

'Tremendous effort'

The Long Moor site contains around eight million tonnes of coal, but villagers said they doubted a new mine would remain on such a small scale.

Campaigner Virge Richichi welcomed what he saw as a victory for people power.

He said: "I'm overjoyed and overwhelmed and really, really pleased.

"It has been a tremendous effort by lots and lots of people to get to this decision and I'm grateful to the council for listening to us and listening to what we had to say."