Britain’s imploding Conservative government has delayed whether to approve a new coal mine in Cumbria for steel production as Boris Johnson prepares to step down as prime minister and political chaos engulfs Westminster decision.
A decision on whether to grant planning permission for the controversial coking coal mine on the edge of Whitehaven is due on July 7, following a planning inquiry in 2021.
But the UK government has now told organisations linked to the project that ministers cannot make a decision before this date.
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The mine has the backing of some Tory MPs but has drawn the ire of environmentalists who have warned that coal is used to make steel so it will not help lower energy bills, most of the coal will be exported and will damage UK’s Climate Leadership Certificate.
Lord Deben, chair of the Climate Change Committee, described the project as “absolutely untenable”.
But Boris Johnson told the House of Commons last month that “obviously it doesn’t make sense to import coal when we have our own domestic resources, especially coal for metallurgical purposes”.
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Friends of the Earth coal campaigner Tony Bosworth said: “This delay gives ministers extra time to ensure they make the right decision about the Whitehaven mine.
“There is no justification for new coal, all the evidence is against the mine – it increases carbon emissions and its market is already falling as steelmakers move to greener production.
“Obviously this new mine will be a bad investment and that’s why ministers have to wake up and reject it.”
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Emily Beament is the PA Environmental Correspondent.This article has been edited ecologist.
