A DISTRICT council is likely to throw its weight behind protestors fighting plans for a huge colliery at a beauty spot and wildlife haven.

Residents of Burnopfield, County Durham, are opposing a planning application for a 45-hectare open-cast colliery on agricultural land next to their village, just inside the Gateshead Council border.

Now, Derwentside district councillors, who have been asked their views by Gateshead Borough Council, are being urged by their planning officers to lodge an objection to the plans.

Derwentside Residents Against Mining Association (Drama) chairman Eddie Stringer said: "We would urge the council to accept the recommendation. The opposition is overwhelming.

"Residents are worried about the impact of heavy lorries, noise, dust and damage to the environment."

Ward Councillor Thomas Charlton said: "The plans are the thin edge of the wedge.

"There is coal right up the Derwentside Valley and there have been several applications for open-cast collieries in the past. They have all been rejected, but they are all still there.

"It has taken years for the area to recover from its mining heritage. If it went back to what it was it would be a tragedy."

The colliery application, submitted to Gateshead Council by Dickinson Dees on behalf of Hall Construction, is for the extraction of up to 480,000 tonnes of high-quality coal and 100,000 tonnes of fire clay over three years.

In report to the district council's development control committee meeting on Thursday, planning officer Shaun Wells notes that, while noise and dust level predictions adhere to Government advice, concerns should still be raised about an increase in perceivable noise levels and dust.

He says the concerns are compounded because the site boundary is within only 75m of the closest property.

The proposals are expected to create about 96 vehicle movements each day, with vehicles using the A692 to gain access to the A1.

Mr Wells says the increased traffic will have a significant adverse visual impact on what is a gateway entrance to the area.

Hall Construction promises to return the site to agricultural use in three years and has said half the site will not be touched for the first year.

Gateshead council is expected to make a decision on the planning application later this year.