Minister criticised for failing to act over Coal Authority intervention in Crossgates opencast

3.26.51pm GMT Fri 10th Nov 2006

A Government Minister has been criticised for failing to act over the Coal Authority's decision to intervene in the proposal for an opencast mine at Crossgates. Local MP Willie Rennie wanted the Government to act after the Authority effectively endorsed the application from ATH Resources for the opencast which was strongly opposed by the local community.

In reply to a letter from Mr Rennie, Energy Minister Malcolm Wicks said:

"I am satisfied that the letter represents a factual analysis of the practical and financial constraints standing in the way of the Authority's early intervention of environmental remediation at Fordell. It is striking that, far from offering any view on the merits or otherwise of them whatsoever. On that basis, it rather surprises me that you appear to attach such little importance to either improving the environment or saving public money."

Mr Rennie responded by saying:

"I am very disappointed and irritated by the response from the Minister. He has skilfully dodged my point by claiming it was a "factual analysis" but it was nothing of the sort. By implying the only way to conduct the work was through the private company the Authority effectively supported the planning application.

"Although the Minister recognises that the Authority is underfunded he offers no suggestion as to how this should be resolved so that the necessary environmental remediation at Fordell is undertaken. In fact the problem at Fordell was identified 12 years ago and no action has been taken during that time. It is the Authority's responsibility and they should not seek to support a planning application of a private company in order to fulfil their obligations. I think this is wrong and sets a dangerous precedent.

"The Minister attacks me for "appearing to place such little importance to either improving the environment or saving public money" but it is his policy to waste millions of public money on a new generation of nuclear power stations that will leave this country with a dangerous environmental legacy. And I'm sure the people of Crossgates do not consider the opencast mine as good for the local environment. People in glass houses should not throw stones."