VILLAGERS fighting controversial plans to dig coal from open countryside expect the issue to go before a public inquiry this summer.

Residents of Pittington, West Rainton and surrounding villages to the east of Durham City have been fighting Hargreaves Surface Mining’s attempts to opencast up to 514,000 tonnes of coal and 83,000 tonnes of fireclay from 56 hectares of farmland known as Field House for more than two years.

A Durham County Council committee refused planning permission last June, but in December Hargreaves announced it would appeal the decision.

The Planning Inspectorate has confirmed the matter will now be settled by a public inquiry.

It was unable to confirm a date for the hearing, but campaigners believe it will be held at Pittington Village Hall over three weeks in July.

Anyone wanting to comment must do so by Thursday, March 19, by writing to: The Planning Inspectorate, 3/06 Wing, Temple Quay House, 2 The Square, Temple Quay, Bristol, BS1 6PN; or emailing: peter.kozak@pins.gsi.gov.uk

Esh Winning-based Hargreaves says Field House is a project that works and has undergone the highest level of scrutiny.

Planning director Steve MacQuarrie said the project would deliver a considerable local 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.

Stephen Guy, a local county councillor who has campaigned against the project, said: “We still think there will be significant damage to the environment and, with the price of coal dropping even further from where it was last summer, we’re struggling to comprehend how the economic benefits would outweigh the damage to the countryside.”

If given the go-ahead, the mining would last for around 26 months, followed by a lengthy period of restoration work.

The council committee refused permission against the recommendation of the authority’s own planning officers.

More information can be found online at planningportal.gov.uk using the appeal reference 3001645.

Villagers met to plan the next steps in their campaign late last month. A Stop the Opencast Facebook page has been set up, at facebook.com/stopwr