MPs join up for open-cast fight
An MP campaigning to bring in a new law that would see a statutory "buffer zone" between open-cast mines and homes has won the backing of a political adversary.
Sir Peter Soulsby, Labour MP for Leicester South, has declared his support for a new bill proposed by Andrew Bridgen, Conservative MP for North West Leicestershire.
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The Private Member's Bill, presented to Parliament earlier this month, proposes a ban on all new open-cast mining operations within 500 metres of houses.
A similar system already exists in Scotland and Wales.
Sir Peter said: "I fully support this Bill. There is a clear need for a buffer zone between open-cast mines and people's dwellings."
Mr Bridgen has promised to help residents in Measham and surrounding villages fight plans by UK Coal to mine 1.5 million tonnes of coal and fireclay at its former Minorca colliery site on the edge of the village.
He said: "I am very pleased that Sir Peter is supporting my bill. It is my aim to build a cross-party consensus on this issue so all those people who live in England enjoy the same protections as those in Scotland and Wales."
Sir Peter is one of about 20 MPs to offer their support so far, but the Bill will need the backing of at least 100 to stand a chance of success. A debate will be held in the Commons chamber.
The Minorca Open-cast Protest Group, set up to oppose the mine, say people's lives will be blighted by noise, dust, traffic and health risks.
Steve Leary, spokesman for the group, said: "We are extremely pleased that another local MP has come on board and is going to support Andrew Bridgen.
"It's extremely encouraging that Sir Peter understands that people in Measham – and elsewhere in England – deserve the same protection from open-cast mining as those living in Scotland and Wales."
Malcolm Hunter, spokesman for Leicester Friends of the Earth, said: "Open-cast mining is massively destructive to the local environment and blights communities.
"Sir Peter Soulsby's backing for this bill is very welcome and we hope that other local MPs will pledge their support.
"Although providing some protection to local communities is important, we also need to ask whether we need such mines at all."
UK Coal spokesman Stuart Oliver said: "A buffer zone in itself won't necessarily address the concerns of neighbours, particularly if they live down- wind of a mine.
"We do have strict conditions designed to protect households, whether they are 200 metres or 500 metres away."
Leicestershire County Council received the planning application last July. It asked for additional information on the environmental impact before making its decision.
Mr Oliver said the report would be with the council by the end of this week, opening the door for a decision at the August or September's meeting of its development control and regulatory board meeting.
The House of Commons won't debate Mr Bridgen's Private Members Bill until February.
3 Comments
by Mark, Measham
Friday, July 23 2010, 5:33PM
“Quote No 1 - "A buffer zone in itself won't necessarily address the concerns of neighbours, particularly if they live down- wind of a mine.
Are you admitting that it is worse downwind, and have your tests taken this into account? Do you admit it would help address the concerns ? Would you like to live next to it Mr Oliver?
Quote No 2 - "We do have strict conditions designed to protect households, whether they are 200 metres or 500 metres away."
The conditions obviously arent good enough because if they were then the question of buffer zones would not have risen - but it did because some fly rock went through into a house in Wales and other sites - didnt it?
What gives UK Coal the right to think it can just come along and opencast on peoples doorstep where they have lived and set down roots. Are they naive to think that they wont cause a health risk to people from the noise, dust and traffic to name a few, that it wont effect peoples lives and that of their children, that it wont effect peoples property values.
UK Coal have stated that they will put right the land when they have finnished however there is nothing wrong with it as it is now - untouched. Thats all rubbish because what they will do is fill a hole with water and call it a lake. Well I could do that in my back garden - but at the end of the day its still a hole. If past experiance is an indicator of future performance then people should fear greatly the prospect of UK Coal being allowed permission. Look at the Lounge site - LCC have had to threaten with a court order because this has not been cleaned up. Look at Hicks Lodge, and Huntingdon lane to name a few. Look at UK Coals finances, can UK Coal afford to deliver on its promises - I dont think so - where is the money comming from (maybe from a merger with somebody else...). Go to the web site www.mopg.co.uk - for more information on this topic.
A 500 meter buffer zone would significantly reduce the risk of any potential injury due to fly rock. Its only fair and right that we have this kind of protection in England. I fully support Andrew Bridgen and his collegues in their bid to bring this law into England.”
by Joe Henshaw, Adjacent to UK Coal's Lodge House Opencast Mine
Thursday, July 22 2010, 9:41PM
“Yes, Stuart Oliver, for once you are correct. A 500 metre buffer zone won't address concerns over opencast mining - but not for the reasons you imply. Your Lodge House (Derbyshire) site continues to have major negative on local people at twice this distance. Very strange considering that your paid expert consultants' stated via Public Inquiry that we wouldn't even notice your paymaster's (UK Coal's) destruction of our environment. "Strict conditions" - what a joke. Once on site, opencast companies do just as they like. Who on earth is going to police "conditions" 24/7? Nice, however, to see that UK Coal is planning to expand the Lodge House site. How many times did you refute that particular prediction from local people, Stuart? I wouldn't bother denying this if I were you, as all your past disingenuous media statements are easily accessible via the internet. Just how do you sleep at night?”
by Rom, Measham
Thursday, July 22 2010, 9:40PM
“It's great to have the support of 20 MPs, irrespective of their party. This issue can affect everyone of us and people in England should have the same level of protection as other part of the UK. The proposed site is litterally on the edge of Mesham, not lost in the middle of nowhere and would put undo nuisance to the local residents for a few days worth of coal in a power plant.”