VILLAGERS have been devastated to learn that a mining company is pressing ahead with controversial plans to dig coal from open countryside.

Residents of Pittington, West Rainton and surrounding villages to the east of Durham City last year lost their battle to stop Hargreaves Surface Mining’s scheme.

The company was granted permission, following a public inquiry, to opencast up to 514,000 tonnes of coal and 83,000 tonnes of fireclay from 56 hectares of farmland known as Field House.

Cllr Bill Kellett said: “We will be organising a meeting of the local action group. We are devastated to learn they are pressing ahead with their plans.

“We thought that given the low price of coal and the fact that it doesn’t figure much in the energy policy that it probably wouldn’t go ahead, but it is.

“Local councillors have been invited to a meeting to be with council officers and representatives from Hargreaves, so sort things out.”

Hargreaves, which is based in Esh Winning, says Field House is a project that works and has undergone the highest level of scrutiny and would deliver a considerable economic boost, positive site restoration and benefit local communities.

However, opponents say the opencast would generate unacceptable noise, dirt, dust, traffic and light pollution, ruining the countryside and causing health problems.

The mining would last about 26 months. Work will be allowed from 7am to 7pm on weekdays and Saturday mornings. The site will then undergo five years of aftercare and ten years of long-term management.

Durham County Council’s head of planning and assets, Stuart Timmiss, said: “When the planning inspector approved the plans for the opencast site, one of the conditions placed on the application was that Hargreaves would be required to carry out regular liaison meetings with local residents throughout the implementation of the scheme.

“As the local planning authority we are currently in discussion with Hargreaves over the constitution and timings of these meetings.

“The first meeting is required to take place at least eight weeks before work is due to start on site and that the relevant people are invited to properly represent the local area. We will ensure that everyone is kept up to date as soon as there are any further developments.”