PLANS by the country's biggest coal producer to mine a 104-hectare site in County Durham have received backing from local councillors.

Members of Teesdale District Council's development control committee have approved a revised application by RJB Mining to extract more than half a million tonnes of coal from a site at Southfield, Brusselton, between Darlington and Shildon.

The site falls mainly on land covered by Darlington Borough Council and Sedgefield Borough Council, with only a small strip falling in Teesdale.

The company made an application last year, but despite receiving the go-ahead from Darlington council in October, Durham County Council, Sedgefield council and Shildon Town Council all objected because of the mine's possible impact on the surrounding area.

The company decided to submit a revised application to the county council earlier this year, and yesterday Teesdale council confirmed that it would not be objecting to the proposal.

Members also approved the original application when it was put before them last year.

Councillor Frank Wilson said: "I don't have any objections, but can we make sure it is well monitored?"

The committee's decision will be submitted to Durham County Council when it discusses the application later this year.