A MAJOR public inquiry into controversial plans to opencast picturesque countryside began yesterday, with villagers calling it their last chance to prevent “wanton destruction”.

Villagers in rural County Durham say they are fighting a David-and-Goliath-style battle to stop UK Coal mining more than 500,000 tonnes from the Bradley site, near Leadgate.

Councillors threw out the scheme in February, against the advice of their own officers, saying it would have an unacceptable environmental impact and this would outweigh any community benefits which might result.

However, UK Coal launched an appeal, leading Planning Inspector Stuart Nixon to open a public inquiry.

The hearing, at Leadgate workmen’s social club, could last up to four weeks.

Timothy Corner QC, for UK Coal, said any visual impact caused by the opencast would be temporary and “entirely localised”, and the planned restoration of the area would actually improve the landscape, making it more environmentally diverse and more accessible.

The mining would not exceed legal noise limits or breach air quality legislation, he added.

However, Pitch Wilson, representing the Derwent Valley Protection Society, said that allowing mining at Bradley would open the floodgates for other schemes, including at nearby Whittonstall.

Ruth Stockley, for Durham County Council, said the site had landscape value, while dust from mining would cause a local nuisance, and the harm caused would outweigh any restoration benefits.

Miss Stockley is expected to close the council’s case today.

Mr Wilson will speak tomorrow.

UK Coal’s case will last several days. Residents will make their case on Tuesday.

Outside the hearing, Carol Rocke, from the Pont Valley Network, said: “This is our final chance to save this valley from wanton destruction.

“If this goes ahead, we can all look forward to years of noise, dust and traffic dangers and, most tragically, the loss of this beautiful landscape and our access to it.”

If the scheme is allowed, mining would move eastward across the site.

Operations would last for three-and-a-half years, including 27 months of mining.

UK Coal would then provide five years of “aftercare” and ten-years of “management”.

Mining would be between 7am and 7pm on weekdays and 7am and noon on Saturdays.

The inquiry continues today.