“Obviously Mr Munnelly does not live close enough to an open cast site to risk long term health problems for his family. I live less than 350m from the proposed Minorca site and think it is disgusting that the local council are even considering this application when it is so close to schools and homes. This will devastate the Measham landscape and ecology for many years and the long term damage to peoples health will be irreversible. Scotland and Wales have introduced a 500m buffer zone to protect residents from the very real danger posed by open cast dust, pollution and blast debris. Why do we in England not enjoy the same protection.”

“Mr Munnelleys comments appears that of a share holder of UK coal, what he appears to have fogotten to make reference to is that open casting is a cheaper option of obtaining coal and ofcourse greater profit to UK coal, but does not take into consideration the disruption of peoples lives, by increased traffic, dust and light pollution, and the devistation of prime the agricultare land”

“It is very obvious that Mr Munnelly did not attend the meetings with UK Coal as they told us that there will not be any added jobs for the area as they already have the people at Ravenstone. The other main point is that the traffic will be travelling down Gallows Lane where we already have more than enough accidents. He is right about one thing and that is we have had our share of minning and this area in particular has supposed to have left that behind for a better quality of life.”

“I do not believe an open cast mine will create local jobs, they will move skilled workers from a soon to be redundant site to the proposed new one. I wonder if your readers realises that 5 years of mining at the proposed Minorca site will scar and pollute for 10 years, but only supply the national grid with enough fuel for 2 days. Scarred land, polluted air, no additional jobs, conjested roads to give the nation 2 days of fuel. Does it make sense to you? It certainly doesn't make any business or ecological sense to me.”

“Try living next to these abominations decade after decade. History of opencast - a world war 2 emergency measure that has become a cash cow for private companies. Limited job numbers, few truly local. Coal reserves raped and unavailable for any true future emergencies. Greenbelt landbanks prepared for redevelopment. Impoverished landscapes; cultural, historical and ecological features erased. An end to peace and quiet or clean air. Should the political will exist, energy efficiency could end opencast mining, create thousands more jobs, and help preserve the local and global environment. Just a few thoughts from someone who actually lives with a modern, impact free opencast mine. Again.”