OPEN countryside earmarked for a major opencast is of low landscape value, a public inquiry has been told.

Landscape expert Steve Warren told an inquiry into Hargreaves Surface Mining’s proposals to mine near Durham that having carried out a detailed assessment, he concluded the Field House site could be classed as being of “low” landscape value and the impact of mining upon it would be “moderate”.

“Every piece of landscape will have some value, certainly in the way it’s perceived by the local community,” he told the hearing at Pittington Village Hall.

“It’s a question of getting a professional view of how landscape is perceived. If we took the community value view, we would never have any development across the UK.”

Hargreaves wants to mine up to 514,000 tonnes of coal and 83,000 tonnes of fireclay from the 135-acre site, which lies between Pittington and West Rainton.

Villagers say the opencast would ruin the countryside and create dust, noise, dirt and traffic problems.

Durham County Council refused to grant planning permission for the scheme – a decision Hargreaves appealed, triggering the public inquiry, which began last week (Tuesday, September 29).

The mining firm argues the project would have a short duration – three years, be conducted in an environmentally acceptable manner and bring beneficial restoration of the land, which is currently used for farming.

Hargreaves is promising five years of “aftercare” and ten years of “long-term management”.

Mr Warren faced cross-examination from Ruth Stockley, the council’s lawyer, who contrasted his assessment of the site with that of Ros Southern, another landscape expert, who concluded it was of medium value and the impact of mining would be high.

“There are thresholds. It doesn’t mean it’s the lowest of the low,” Mr Warren said.

Hargreaves' planning director, Steve MacQuarrie said: “Coal still has a huge part to play in all our energy needs but our reliance on foreign imports means the UK isn’t fully benefitting from this important resource.

“The Field House proposals have faced the highest level of scrutiny and received the backing of the council’s own planning team.

“We have already shown at our developments in Northumberland and throughout Scotland, that coal extraction can provide a considerable local economic boost and deliver positive site restoration that is of benefit to local communities and we would do the same at Field House.”

Hargreaves is expected to continue making its case that the council’s decision should be overturned to John Woolcock, the independent planning inspector leading the inquiry, until into Wednesday (October 14).

Mr Woolcock will then visit the site accompanied by representatives of the council and Hargreaves the following day, before closing submissions are made on Friday, October 16.

Mr Woolcock is not expected to issue his decision until early 2016.