CAMPAIGNERS fighting proposals for an opencast coal mine on farmland next to a historic site yesterday handed over a 5,000-signature petition.
Liberal Democrats in Blaydon constituency have organised one of three petitions against plans for the mining, next to the Gibside Estate, at Rowlands Gill, Gateshead.
Councillors Jonathan Wallace and Peter Maughan were joined by Euro MP Fiona Hall and residents to hand the petition to Gateshead Council.
The council was expected to discuss the plans across the county boundary, near Burnopfield, next Wednesday. However, the matter has now been postponed for a month.
Hall Construction, of Rushyford, wants to extract 480,000 tonnes of coal and 100,000 tonnes of fireclay over three years from a site at Byermoor Farm, Fellside Road, near Whickham, Gateshead.
Residents opposed to the plans have won the backing of Derwentside District Council and Durham County Council.
The grounds of objection include the visual impact the mining and the impact of noise, dust and blasting on homes in the village's northern outskirts.
The matter is to be discussed at a meeting on October 12, at 1.30pm.
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