CAMPAIGNERS fighting plans for opencast mining on land between three villages have welcomed a council's support.

Durham City Council has added its weight to the opposition generated by the reformed Bowburn Opencast Action Group to the Eco Energy Group's proposals.

The consortium plans to extract about 755,000 tonnes of coal from 65.4 hectares of farm land between Bowburn, Coxhoe and Old Quarrington.

The action group, which campaigned against schemes in the 1980s and 1990s, is concerned about the scheme's impact on the area.

It is delighted that the city council will register its opposition to the scheme with Durham County Council, which will consider the consortium's application in January.

Action group secretary Howard Armstrong said: "We are very pleased with the city council's decision. It is the first step on a long road though. There has been a lot of opposition in the area. There have been hundreds of letters and petitions against the plan sent to the county.''

Group chairman Richard Cowan said: "We are very grateful for the support of the city council in the fight against this plan.''

The site will operate for at least three-and-a-half years and will work to the boundary of the parish cemetery at Old Quarrington.

Villagers are worried about the effect of dust, noise and pollution from the site and the impact of the lorries that will carry coal to Yorkshire power stations each day.

The city council objects because the scheme conflicts with development plan policies; is close to homes; would cause noise and dust; would add cumulatively to the impact of mineral workings on the area; and would distress visitors to a nearby cemetery.

Officials and councillors are also worried the mining would spoil views and disturb wildlife habitats.

A report to city councillors said: "The proposal, as it stands, is clearly contrary to several policies of the development plan.''

The consortium has lodged an appeal against the county council's failure to decide the application within the statutory period.

It says the scheme will create 40 jobs and provide wider economic and environmental benefits including the extension and enhancement of nature conservation in the area when working ends.