BRITAIN'S biggest coal producer is considering its position after councillors granted permission for an opencast mine on the outskirts of Darlington.

RJB Mining is seeking to develop a 104-hectare site at Southfield, Brusselton, between Darlington and Shildon, which would allow it to extract more than a half a million tons of coal from farmland.

The firm received a setback last week when Durham County Council rejected plans for the mine, but Darlington Borough Council yesterday gave its approval.

The site lies on the boundary between the two authorities and following the Darlington decision, RJB is reviewing its position.

Terry Hassell, who would become the site manager, said: "We will be reconsidering our position and will either be resubmitting the application to Durham County Council or appealing against its original decision."

Members of Darlington's planning applications committee were told there has been a number of objections to the mine. They include Sedgefield Borough Council, Shildon Town Council and people living near the proposed site.

Coal and fireclay would be extracted over 28 months and the area would then undergo a restoration scheme designed to create a mix of habitats.

Councillors voted overwhelmingly in favour of the scheme and it is now up to RJB to decide what its next step will be.