COUNCILLORS will make a site visit before deciding whether to give the go-ahead for an open-cast mine in County Durham

RJB Mining is seeking to develop a 104 hectare site at Brusselton, near Darlington.

Because the site covers takes in both the Darlington Borough Council and Durham County Council boundaries, it has been suggested that a joint site visit be held to allow councillors from both authorities to make a close inspection of the area.

RJB Mining is proposing to extract 580,000 tonnes of coal and 180,000 tonnes of fireclay.

Members of Darlington Borough Council's planning applications committee will be told today that the timescale for the work is estimated at just over two years.

Lorry movements will be 156 per working day, 78 in and 78 out. The scheme is expected to create 50 full-time jobs.

Proposals for the mine have already been rejected by Sedgefield borough councillors, who are concerned about the effects it will have on nearby of Shildon. But the final decision rests with the Darlington and Durham authorities.

In his report to the committee, Darlington council's director of development and environment, John Buxton, says: "The application raises complex and specialist planning issues which have rarely been encountered in the borough before.

"In order to fully appreciate the complexities of the application, members should consider visiting the site with members of Durham County Council, so that the size and extent of the proposals can be fully appreciated."