The mayor of Copeland has written to the new secretary of state for levelling up – urging him to approve west Cumbria’s proposed new coal mine.

Michael Gove was due to make a decision on the controversial scheme today but was dramatically sacked yesterday evening by Prime Minister Boris Johnson, who resigned earlier today.

It was announced yesterday that a decision on the mine would be delayed due to the ongoing Government crisis.

The final decision now lies with Greg Clark, who has been appointed Secretary of State for Levelling Up, Housing and Communities, replacing Michael Gove.

Mike Starkie, the elected mayor of Copeland, has written to the newly appointed cabinet minister, urging him to rubber stamp the decision.

The letter, which has been shared with The Whitehaven News, says: “As Elected Mayor for Copeland and a huge advocate for the proposed West Cumbria Mine I am writing to you to urge you to please, as a matter of urgency, deliver the decision on this project.

“As you will be aware, the deadline for an announcement was today,  as the planning inspector has delivered his recommendation and the civil servants have done what they need to do.  I am confident the Planning Inspectorate will have recommended approval as the local planning authority did on three occasions.

“Along with the Mining Company, the investors and residents in my community I am disappointed that this decision has been delayed, we do not deserve to be waiting any longer. The Mine has virtually unanimous support in my borough from residents, local councillors of all parties and our local MPs.

“It goes without saying that the decision to delay this announcement is causing political difficulties for those local red wall representatives who have given their full support to this project.

“I respectfully urge you, as the responsible minister, to now rubber stamp the decision as soon as possible.  After seven years, this needs to be concluded.”

Plans for a mine off the coast of Whitehaven by West Cumbria Mining were approved three times by Cumbria County Council but in February 2021, the authority suspended its decision and the plans were called in.

A planning inquiry was held in September and a report was prepared by the planning inspector for Michael Gove to consider before making a final decision on the plans. A deadline of July 7 was set for the decision to be made.

The proposed £160million mine would remove coking coal from beneath the Irish Sea for the production of steel in the UK and export to Europe.

Environmental campaigners, including Friends of the Earth, have strongly opposed the mine, saying it would increase carbon emissions and damage the UK’s climate credibility.

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