PLANS to reclaim a former colliery spoil mound to extract thousands of tonnes of coal waste on the outskirts of a former pit village look set to get go ahead despite overwhelming objections from neighbouring residents.

Hargreaves Surface Mining has applied to Durham County Council to undertake the scheme, including landscaping of the site on completion, outside Hesleden, in east Durham.

The proposals will come under the spotlight at the county planning meeting on Tuesday, when planning officers will recommend the scheme be approved.

The plans have come under fire from hundreds of residents, as well as the Castle Eden and Monk Hesleden parish councils and Easington MP Graeme Morris.

Objectors argue the development will lead to loss of residential amenity, while the extra traffic generated will lead to noise, dust and to a reduction in road safety.

However, pupils at Hesleden Primary School have weighed into the debate, saying that the scheme should go ahead as it will make the site safer and could put it back into community use.

The former Castle Eden Colliery and associated spoil heap lies immediately south of the Haswell to Hart Railway Path – now part of Sustrans National Cycle Network – and is within the Hesleden Dene Local Wildlife Site.

According to Hargreaves Surface Mining, remediation is required as the site has a history of spontaneous burning of highly combustible material requiring attendance of the fire brigade.

The proposal to remove low grade coal, shale and spoil will involve the removal of about 278,000 tonnes of material followed by the restoration, over a two-year period.

It is anticipated the works will generate an average of 44 heavy good vehicle (HGV) movements a working day – or an average of two laden HGVs leaving every hour.

The vehicles would enter and leave the site on an existing track onto Gray Avenue. about 380m from the junction with the B1281.

The council has received 65 letters of objection, as well as two petitions containing 212 signatures against the scheme, while 34 individual letters (from pupils of Hesleden Primary School) and a petition containing 48 signatures has been received in support of the scheme.

Planning officers say the proposals would have significant effects on the character of the landscape locally, but it would only be of a temporary nature.

Recommending approval, they say it “is considered the scheme would not have significant environmental effects of an adverse nature sufficient to justify a recommendation of refusal".