Construction of a new opencast coal mine in Britain has been delayed for almost two years

The British government has postponed a decision
on whether to allow the construction of a new open-pit coal mine.

Construction of a new opencast coal mine in Britain has been delayed for almost two years

The Development Bank Group said it was very disappointed
with the further delays in the project.
Last year, Northumberland County Council approved a coal mine project
near Highthorn Druridge Bay.

The group said the secretary for housing, communities and local government, Sajid Javid, was supposed to make a final decision after public inquiry, but the project had been delayed
.

A spokesman for the Department of Housing, Community and Local Government said the secretary of state was still considering the application but had not yet made a decision
.

Jeannie Kielty, Group Community Relations Manager, said: "We remain keen to move forward with our investment and job creation programme at Highthorn as soon as possible and are therefore very disappointed
by the further delay.
”

"All businesses need clear guidelines and a solid foundation to plan and execute operations
that deliver benefits.
But since our plan was first adopted unanimously, it has been almost 2 years since it was adopted
.
There is also no indication of when the secretary of state will decide whether to allow work
to continue.
Customers from energy production and industry have been asking when the project will be put into operation
.
Kielty added
.

Kielty said the UK still needed coal because it met more than 1/4 of the country's electricity generation needs
during the recent cold weather.
In addition, questions remain about whether the UK actually gets enough gas to meet consumer demand
.

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