A contentious decision to approve the construction of an open-cast coalmine at Druridge Bay in Northumberland has been called in by Sajid Javid because of fears about its impact on climate change. Local planning authorities gave their backing to the project at Highthorn, 30 miles north of Newcastle, in July. Officials said that the secretary for communities and local government wished to examine “the extent to which the proposed development is consistent with government policies for meeting the challenge of climate change”. A letter from Mr Javid to the council listed six other areas that he wanted to review. It was the first time that climate change had been explicitly cited as a reason for taking over a planning decision for a British industrial project, experts said. A public inquiry will be held to decide whether the project should proceed.
Times 9th Sept 2016 read more »
FT 9th Sept 2016 read more »