Planners advise against creation of opencast mine

Scottish Coal wants to create the facility near Cousland in Midlothian, which has upset locals both there and in nearby Ormiston.

Now, after a two-year fight, it appears their protests have been successful after Midlothian Council chiefs recommended the proposal is refused when it goes before councillors on Tuesday.

Head of planning and development Ian Johnson cited a number of reasons why the plan should be snubbed.

He said that the mine would have an "adverse visual impact" on the area and that dust generated would make the surroundings a less pleasant area to live.

He also said Scottish Coal had not shown any "overriding public benefit" for the area, despite the organisation pledging 25 full-time jobs immediately with a further 50 over the next five years. The company also pledged to contribute 500,000 to a community fund.

Mr Johnson added: "It will not provide any benefits to the local community or environment that would outweigh the disbenefits arising from its adverse visual impact; the possible adverse effect on the quality of life of local communities from an additional source of noise; the impact from dust; and the potentially adverse effect it will have on the enjoyment of recreational users of the surrounding countryside."

The news has been met with joy from activists who have long objected to the 154-acre plan at Airfield Farm, though the firm said it would wait to hear the actual outcome next week.

Communities Against Airfield Open Cast was established soon after the plans were made public.

The group is now confident councillors will side with the officials' views, although there is some sympathy to the plan in an area which has a rich mining history.

Spokesman Dougie McKenzie said: "There have been over 1000 objections to Scottish Coal's proposed mine.

"The majority of local residents support developments which bring sustainable economic benefit to the local community, but today's refusal of Scottish Coal's application is a significant endorsement of people power and will hopefully provide protection for over 100 local businesses which will be affected."

The submission has been steeped in controversy since the plans first came to light in 2008. Residents in nearby Ormiston were never consulted, despite living only a few hundred metres from the location. This was because their homes are in the East Lothian boundary, while this particular decision will be taken by Midlothian councillors.

A spokesman for Scottish Coal said: "We are awaiting the final decision of the planning committee next Tuesday."