THE first coal to be extracted from a controversial opencast development has been dispatched from the site.

A mining firm has been working at the Bradley site near Consett, since late May despite protests from environmental activists and local residents.

The firm intends to remove 500,000 tonnes of coal from the land over the next three years.

Lewis Stokes, community relations manager, said: “Work is continuing to progress well at our Bradley site, with a local highly-skilled and growing workforce now in place, and we remain fully committed to operating the site in the safest, most efficient and most environmentally responsible way possible.”

The firm said 34 jobs are being directly supported at the Bradley site, with half of those working there living within five miles of the site, and almost all living within a 15 mile radius.

Coal produced so far has been supplied to a number of industrial customers around the country.

Mr Stokes said: “It undoubtedly remains in the national interest to continue to invest in skilled mining jobs in North-East England, instead of supporting jobs in and increasing our already substantial reliance on overseas coal imports from locations such as Russia and the US, and by doing so, to enhance our domestic energy security position and contribute positively to the UK’s balance of payments.

“The UK still requires coal to meet a range of essential industrial uses, including steel and cement production, as well as for household and electricity generation needs and there is strong demand from our customers for the high quality coal that is now being produced at the Bradley site.”

The restoration of the site will include the creation of new woodland and a nature reserve, as well as the return of some of the land to agricultural use.

A community benefits fund, planned to go live in the next few months, will provide funding to support eligible local community improvement projects and initiatives.

Mr Stokes said: “The Banks Group has been creating highly-skilled and well-paid jobs in County Durham and around the North East for more than 40 years, and we are proud to be living up to our commitment to create even more new local job opportunities.”