Planning permission has been removed for a controversial Cumbrian coal mine as the High Court has deemed it unlawful
Planning permission for a Cumbrian coal mine has been quashed by the high court for what would have been the first new coal mine in the UK in 30 years.
Friends of the Earth and South Lakes Action on Climate Change (SLACC) fought the planning permission in court against West Cumbria Mining Ltd (WCM), the proposers of the mine.
The Cumbrian coal mine was opposed successfully on all grounds
Planning permission was originally granted by Michael Gove in 2022, and has been opposed by SLACC and Friends of the Earth ever since.
The case was made that the majority of the emissions that the mine would cause — namely, the emissions from burning the extracted coal, around 99% of the mine’s emissions — were not considered during the planning process.
WCM defended the mine, insisting that the mine would be unique and be net-zero.
These claims were dismissed by the court.
The new labour government decided not to support their predecessors defence of the Cumbrian coal mine, and withdrew their defence, leaving WCM to fight the case themselves.
“This mine should never have been given permission in the first place”
Senior lawyer for Friends of the Earth, Niall Toru, said: “This is fantastic news and a huge victory for our environment and everyone who has fought against this climate-damaging and completely unnecessary coal mine.
“It is the first fossil fuel case to be decided after the landmark Supreme Court judgment on oil drilling at Horse Hill. That the ruling today has gone against the mining company could have ramifications internationally, as there are cases abroad where challenges are being made against fossil fuel projects on a very similar basis.
“This mine should never have been given permission in the first place. The case against it is overwhelming: it would have huge climate impacts, its coal isn’t needed and it harms the UK’s international reputation on climate. Any reconsideration of the planning application can surely only reach one conclusion – and reject this harmful mine once and for all. We believe that the writing is on the wall, and that WCM should withdraw its application for this climate-wrecking project.
“We have to leave fossil fuels in the ground and build the cleaner, brighter future that will slash emissions, cut bills and create the well-paid jobs of tomorrow that areas like West Cumbria so urgently need.”
