MORE plans to create opencast coalmines in the former north Durham coalfield have been revealed.

UK Coal has applied for permission to excavate a site between the former mining town of Stanley and Marley Hill, over the county boundary in Gateshead.

The proposed scheme would involve the removal of more than a million tones of coal and 175,000 tonnes of fireclay from the former colliery and coking works.

A UK Coal spokesman said: “It will achieve the major benefit of reclaiming and remediating a former colliery and industrial site, currently contaminated with tars and heavy metals from former uses.”

It follows controversial plans to create similar developments at Whittonstall, over the border in Northumberland, and the Bradley site, near Leadgate, which have generated huge campaigns of public opposition.

Residents are concerned about the environmental impact of such large scale developments and have road safety concerns over the movement of lorries.

The Whittonstall development, which involves the removal of more than two million tonnes, is expected to be determined by Northumberland County Council on February 5.

It is understood UK is pursuing plan to extract 500,000 tonnes of coal from the Bradley site through the High Court after an appeal against Durham County Council’s planning refusal was dismissed following a public inquiry.

The Marley Hill application will be determined by Gateshead Council at a planning hearing and consultation is underway.

The company said the work and restoration of the site will take four-and-a-half years and create around 80 jobs.

The coal will be used to produce electricity at power stations while the fireclay will be sold to brickworks in the region.

The haulage of coal will be along A roads in the area towards the A1 and lorry movements will average six per hour.

The spokesman added: “The restoration proposals will deliver major ecological and major benefits to the area and local community, together with a community find for local projects.

“The environmental impact assessment has demonstrated that the site can be worked in an environmentally and social acceptable way and delivers major benefits.”

A previous application submitted in 1988 was refused by Gateshead Council and Durham County Council and the appeal was subsequently dismissed at public inquiry.