RESIDENTS living near a proposed opencast mine on the outskirts of Bolton have been urged to put pressure on the Government for a new planning inquiry.

Objectors to the plans to opencast mine a huge spoil heap at Cutacre tip, near Over Hulton, can now send fresh objections to the planning inspector following the publication of new Government guidelines.

Demand

Bolton West MP Ruth Kelly said residents should write to the planning inspector to demand a new inquiry in order to properly consider the new guidelines.

She said: "I would call on all those residents who sent in individual letters or signed standard letters and petitions to write.

"A lot of work was done by people in both Over Hulton and Little Hulton to organise opposition to this application and in my view their feelings should be taken into account.

"They need the opportunity to fully express their opinions on the rule changes at a new inquiry."

A planning inquiry into the proposal by RJB Mining (UK) Ltd to opencast mine at Cutacre tip was held in August last year.

But since then the Government has said the impact of schemes on the local environment has to be given a higher priority.

Ruth Kelly has met the planning minister Richard Caborn to discuss opencast mining and has submitted recommendations as part of the Parliamentary Group opposed to opencast mining.

Residents wishing to write should address letters to The Planning Inspectorate, Room 10/23, Tollgate House, Houlton Street, Bristol, BS2 9DJ, quoting reference APP/N4205/A/289386.

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