Opencast coal mine plans agreed

A total of 450,000 tonnes of coal could be taken from the site

Fresh environmental plans have been agreed for an opencast coal mine originally approved in 1956.

Outline permission for the scheme at Auchencorth near West Linton in the Borders was granted more than 50 years ago but is now officially dormant.

However, Scottish Coal hopes to extract some 450,000 tonnes of coal from the Peeblesshire site.

A number of details still need to be agreed with Scottish Borders Council before work can start on the mine.

The environmental statement outlines how the 173-hectare site would be operated and how it would be restored once works cease.

It addresses concerns about the effect on wildlife - including badgers and otters.

Increased traffic

It also looks at the impact on the Lyne Water - part of the Tweed system - as well as the local water supply.

Under the proposal, the coal would be extracted over about two-and-a-half years and crushed on site, with some of it going to Cockenzie Power Station.

Issues such as noise, dust and increased traffic are also covered in the statement, as well as confining operations to daytime during the week and Saturday mornings.

The environmental plan was agreed by the Tweeddale area committee.