Plans for the proposed Whitehaven Coal Mine have been put on hold and will be reconsidered by Cumbria County Council.
They are to reconsider in light of "new information" (namely the Independent Climate Change Committees Sixth Carbon Budget Report).
In a press release from Cumbria County Council, a spokesperson said:
"After the receipt and consideration of new information, Cumbria County Council's Development Control and Regulation (DC&R) Committee will now reconsider the planning application by West Cumbria Mining to create a metallurgical coal mine off the coast near Whitehaven.
"This decision has been taken because in December 2020, the Government's Climate Change Committee released its report on its recommendations for the Sixth Carbon Budget, a requirement under the Climate Change Act. The report, among other things, sets out the volume of greenhouse gases the UK aims to emit during 2033-2037. This new information has been received prior to the issue of the formal decision notice on the application. In light of this the Council has decided that the planning application should be reconsidered by DC&R."
Photo: Sandwith Anhydrite Drift (WCM).
