Highthorn scoping report submitted
Community workshops planned as scoping report submitted for proposed surface mine
LOCAL residents, community groups and employers are being invited to have their say in the development of proposals for a new surface mine in south-east Northumberland.
In July 2013 Banks Mining announced that they were looking at plans for the new Highthorn surface mining scheme, a project which they believe could offer real and lasting social, economic and environmental benefits for the surrounding area, as well as helping to sustain more than 150 local jobs.
Banks have now submitted a scoping report to Northumberland County Council which reflects changes made to their outline ideas for the project in light of their initial discussions with, and feedback from, the local community.
These changes include the time between the proposed start of operations in 2016 to the completion of restoration being reduced from 13 years to between eight and 10 years, and the removal of 114ha to the east of Widdrington village from the study area being considered for the scheme.
To develop the project plans further, Banks are now inviting local people to come to a series of community workshops to meet the Highthorn project team and help shape the plans for the project.
The first workshop will take place on Monday 19 January at Widdrington Community Centre in Widdrington Station, with further events taking place in the following months in advance of the submission of a Highthorn planning application, which is expected to happen in late spring 2015.
Research carried out by Banks as part of their initial discussions with a wide range of local people and community groups found a variety of opinions about their plans.
New children’s facilities, improved footpaths and cycle paths, new tourist facilities, improved Internet and phone coverage, and new sports facilities were some of the ideas suggested by local people when asked about new community facilities they would like to see if the Highthorn scheme goes ahead.
The provision of local employment opportunities, apprenticeships and contract opportunities for local suppliers were the main areas in which survey respondents felt the project should be assisting the local economy.
Mark Dowdall, environment and community director at The Banks Group, said: ‘We distributed around 5,000 information leaflets across the area on our initial proposals for Highthorn and we are pleased that a number of people have already expressed an interest in being part of the community workshops.
‘Involving local residents, businesses, community groups, tourism bodies and visitors at an early stage in the Highthorn development process means we can fully understand their views which will have a direct influence on the plans that we submit and on the benefits that we can bring to their area.’
The Highthorn site, which is located to the south east of the village of Widdrington, represents one of the best and largest remaining coal resources in England. Initial community consultations by Banks led to changes being made in the land being considered for the project in October 2013, with a number of fields to the north east of Widdrington village being excluded from the area being considered for the scheme.
Mr Dowdall continued: ‘We’re very pleased with the degree of community engagement that we’ve been able to achieve since announcing our initial plans for Highthorn, and we are keen to maximize the opportunities for local people to play a positive role in this ongoing dialogue.
‘We aim to bring forward a scheme that delivers tangible, long-term local and regional economic, environmental, employment and social benefits, and we welcome the involvement of local people, groups and businesses with the community panels to help achieve the best design outcome for everyone.’
