Cumbrian coal mine legal challenge

A legal challenges against a new coal mine in West Cumbria has been given the green light.

A High Court judge has given the go ahead for two legal challenges over the UK Government’s decision to grant planning permission for a new coal mine in West Cumbria to proceed to a three-day hearing.

The decision has been welcomed by Friends of the Earth and South Lakes Action on Climate Change (SLACC) – the organisations behind the legal claims.

In a court order sent to both claimants, the judge said that instead of convening a hearing for the parties to request permission to proceed to a full trial, their cases will now be heard at a ‘rolled up’ hearing.

It will last for three days and is likely to take place in the summer or autumn.

Friends of the Earth and SLACC launched their legal challenges in January after Michael Gove, Secretary of State for Levelling Up, Housing and Communities, gave planning permission to the new coking mine in December 2022. 

SLACC and Friends of the Earth contend that Mr Gove failed to account for the significant climate impacts of the mine.

Friends of the Earth campaigner, Tony Bosworth, says, 'We’re delighted the court agrees that our legal challenge against this mine deserves to be heard.'