Fight against coal mine 'is not over yet'

East Lothian MSP Iain Gray has warned the battle to stop a massive open cast coal mine at Airfield Farm between Ormiston and Cousland may not yet be over.

Mr Gray welcomed the unanimous decision of Midlothian Council to reject the planning application for what would be the second-biggest coal mine in Scotland.

He said: "Councillors clearly took account of the many concerns expressed about the impact on the local environment. While the rejection of the application is very welcome, I would strike a note of caution because Scottish Coal has the right of appeal to Scottish ministers, so I wouldn't say the battle is over yet."