Douglas Valley open cast coal
A planning system that builds public trust must ensure that the information given to consultees is the basis on which the development operates. Any other way and credibility of the system will quickly crumble.
This case study focuses on Douglas Valley in South Lanarkshire which has four operating open-cast coal mines plus two undergoing restoration. The latest, Mainshill open-cast coal and fireclay mine, was granted planning permission in February 2009.
Douglas has a long history of major developments including 20 years of coal mining and there are many issues. In this case we have concentrated on one recent example in relation to the Mainshill mine planning process.
The Mainshill planning application and environmental impact assessment (EIA) repeatedly stated that coal trucks would not be travelling through Douglas village itself. Rather the traffic would go east to the Ravenstruther rail terminal.
The traffic impact and air quality assessments in the EIA were completed on this information. The responses to the consultation (from the public and statutory consultees like NHS, SNH and community council) on the EIA and planning application were prepared on this basis. And the planning committee granted permission for the development on this information.
“There will be no HGV traffic travelling through Douglas, and the routing of HGVs will not be through any sensitive residential areas” Mainshill environmental statement, p173.
However, since the opening of the mine this has not been the case. The operating company Scottish Coal has routed a significant number of coal trucks to the Killoch railhead, 27 miles west of Mainshill and through the village of Douglas. A 2011 traffic survey conducted by Coal Action Scotland found over 130 Scottish Coal HGVs passed through Douglas and Glespin in one day.
Mainshill opencast was granted permission contrary to the adopted ‘minerals development plan’. Because of this the council were required to notify the DPEA/Scottish Ministers. When this happens (under the new system) the DPEA must decide if they will determine the application themselves or to leave it up to the local authority. The DPEA decided leave the determination up to South Lanarkshire, in part because they were happy with the council’s consideration of the EIA and the assurance that trucks would not be routed through Douglas or other settlements.
“Council reports that no haulage traffic will pass directly through any communities or settlements” DEPA assessment report NA/SLS/059.
Douglas Community Council have complained to the local authority that the development was granted on the basis that no traffic would be routed through the village, which is in practice not the case. Normally situations like these are minimised through the use of ‘conditions’ that give permission for developments under certain constraints. However in this case the community council have been told that the only way to restrict traffic is through a legal agreement and not through the planning system.
The planning system appears unable to create a condition to ensure Scottish Coal transport the coal along the routes described in the planning application and EIA.
Had the current haulage routes been described in the planning application and modelled in the traffic impact and air quality assessments, different conclusions on the impact on residents in Douglas may have arisen and consultees who raised no objections may have decided to object. And had the impact on local communities been clear in the application this may have required the DPEA to decide the application themselves by public local inquiry providing important external scrutiny.
It is clear that trust in the planning system will be eroded when the information on which an application was assessed turn out not to be the case during operation.
In Douglas Valley, many residents have no faith or trust in the planning system after many years of feeling powerless to influence planning decisions and feeling that the coal mining industry will always be accommodated before local people.
The situation must change to rebuild trust in the system. Douglas residents recognise the need for coal mining but they want to participate in a honest system where major developments operate on the basis on which they were granted.
View Open Cast Coal and Mineral Excavation, Douglas Valley in a larger map
In your fourth paragraph you state Ravenscraig rail terminal. It is in fact Ravenstruther rail terminal.
Thanks for pointing out Jason, fixed it now.
When I initially commented I clicked the “Notify me when new comments are added” checkbox and now
each time a comment is added I get three e-mails with the same comment.
Is there any way you can remove me from that service? Bless you!
My blog … Elinor Morton Hoyt Wylie
This is rezlly interesting, You’re a very smilled blogger.
I have joined your rss feed and look forward to seeking more of your great post.
Also, I’ve shared your web site in my social networks!
I live near Kirkconnel opencast and worked there for 4-5yrs.They have buried hundreds of waste truck tyres which are 9ft tall. They have buried waste oil drums and filters. This was to save them paying money to get the waste up-lifted. No wonder there is so many locals suffering and dying from Cancer in this area and hundreds more suffering from Breathing Problems ie Athsma and COPD. And they are Trying to blame Chernobyl that occurred on 26 April 1986 at the Chernobyl Nuclear Power Plant in Ukraine. Trying to convince us all that the wind blew it over here and the rain brought it down on the local villages of Dumfries & Galloway. However if you read the article on here about Dirty Coal and how it affects health you will see that its the coal and the dust and the Diesel Fumes from the Machinery thats doing the damage. But then again maybe the wind is blowing it all elsewhere and causing Health problems in Russia. They have all came in and ripped up the countryside and buried there waste and land-rovers in the hills and made millions and treated the work-force like a pigeon treats a statue.
Great blog here! Also your web site loads up very fast! What web host are you using?
Can I get your affiliate link to your host? I wish my website loaded up as quickly as yours
lol
Here is my webpage – teeth whitening techniques Elk Grove
Hello everybody, here every one is sharing these familiarity, therefore it’s good to read this website, and I used to pay a quick visit this website daily.
Feel free to visit my web page … Bed Bug Control Service Surrey
Good post. I learn something totally new and challenging on sites I stumbleupon every day.
It’s always useful to read articles from other authors and practice a little something from
their web sites.
Stop by my blog: Pest Control Service Providers Courtenay
Hello there! Do you use Twitter? I’d like to follow you if that would be
ok. I’m definitely enjoying your blog and look forward to new posts.
My site :: Pest Control For Hotels Chilliwack
Nice weblog right here! Additionally your website loads
up fast! What web host are you the use of? Can I am getting your associate hyperlink for your host?
I want my website loaded up as quickly as yours lol
my homepage: Wasp Exterminator Langley
Simply desire to say your article is as surprising.
The clarity on your put up is just excellent and i could think you are a professional
on this subject. Well with your permission let me to clutch your feed to keep
up to date with drawing close post. Thank you one million and please keep up the gratifying work.
Review my webpage – Cover For Windows Surrey
You are so awesome! I do not think I have read anything
like that before. So nice to discover someone with a few genuine thoughts on this topic.
Really.. many thanks for starting this up. This site is one thing that’s
needed on the internet, someone with a bit of originality!
Have a look at my page: Domestic Freight Shipping Abbotsford
magnificent put up, very informative. I ponder why
the opposite specialists of this sector do not notice this.
You should continue your writing. I am sure, you have a huge readers’ base already!
my web site – Cost Of International Shipping Surrey
Hello would you mind letting me know which webhost you’re utilizing?
I’ve loaded your blog in 3 different internet browsers
and I must say this blog loads a lot quicker then most.
Can you recommend a good web hosting provider at a reasonable price?
Cheers, I appreciate it!
Hello everybody, here every person is sharing these familiarity, thus it’s pleasant to read this weblog, and I used to visit this webpage daily.
constantly i used to read smaller articles which also clear
their motive, and that is also happening with this piece of
writing which I am reading here.
You can definitely see your enthusiasm in the work you
write. The sector hopes for even more passionate writers such as you who aren’t
afraid to say how they believe. At all times go after your heart.
my blog; Confederate States of America Gate dui defence lawyers
Woah! I’m really digging the template/theme of this website.
It’s simple, yet effective. A lot of times it’s tough to get that “perfect balance” between user friendliness and visual appeal.
I must say that you’ve done a awesome job with this.
Also, the blog loads super fast for me on Safari. Excellent Blog!
Stop by my weblog; Expert Service Exterminating Halifax NS
Wow that was strange. I just wrote an really long comment but
after I clicked submit my comment didn’t show up.
Grrrr… well I’m not writing all that over again. Anyway, just wanted
to say great blog!
my web blog :: bid bonds for construction
Hello everyone, it’s my first visit at this site, and post is
genuinely fruitful for me, keep up posting such articles.
Here is my blog post :: C. H. Best dui lawyer Long Beach
I jus like the helpful information youu provide to
your articles. I’ll bookmark your weblog and check again here regularly.
I’m relatively sure I’ll be told plenty of new stuff right here!
Best of luck for the next!
Also visit my web site Speed queen washer and dryer set
(http://Www.ergatoblog.com)
I delight in, result in I discovered just what I was having a look for.
You’ve ended my 4 day lengthy hunt! God Bless you man. Have a great day.
Bye
Feel free to surf to my website braun silk epil 3170
4)Now release the Rest button but not Home button as you
have to hold it for the another 15 seconds. Move back to the Sam display and the
IMSI quantity you copied previously, paste it right here.
It’s amazing to visit this web site and reading the
views of all mates regarding this article, while I am also keen of getting experience.
Thank you for sharing your thoughts. I truly appreciate your
efforts and I am waiting for your next post thanks once again.
I couldn’t resist commenting. Well written!
Hi, i feel that i noticed you visited my site so i came to go back
the choose?.I am attempting to to find issues to enhance my site!I suppose its
ok to use some of your ideas!!
May I simply just say what a comfort to discover somebody who really
knows what they’re discussing on the internet. You actually know how to bring an issue to light and make it important.
A lot more people ought to read this and understand this side of the story.
I was surprised that you’re not more popular given that you definitely have the gift.
I have been exploring for a bit for any high quality articles or weblog posts on this kind of
house . Exploring in Yahoo I ultimately stumbled upon this web
site. Reading this info So i’m happy to express that I have a
very good uncanny feeling I found out just what I needed.
I such a lot for sure will make certain to do not overlook this site and give it a glance on a constant basis.
Here is my blog post … maxi dress murah (zacharymikl.newsvine.com)
Hi there, for all time i used to check blog posts here in the early
hours in the break of day, since i love to learn more
and more.
Feel free to visit my website :: toko online jual kacamata
(stanfordveiq.newsvine.com)
Hi my friend! I want to say that this article is awesome,
nice written and come with almost all vital infos. I would
like to look more posts like this .
my web blog; confessional lutheran lcms
It’s actually a great and useful piece of information. I am glad that you
shared this helpful info with us. Please stay us informed like this.
Thank you for sharing.
Feel free to visit my web blog :: chapter 7 attorney fee
These attributes designed for Rooted Android os gadgets and the
apple iphone four/iPad. Following you setup your feeds, Pulse Reader
will show them in a unique ‘colorful mosaic’.
The Android BBM application will start at 7 a.m.
You can use Dev team technique to unlock your 3G iphone. As opposed to Facetime, Skype or even Fring Yahoo has 81 million customers.
Then locate the “FuriousMod” package and set up it.
It’s actually a cool and useful piece of info. I am satisfied that you simply shared this useful
info with us. Please keep us up to date like this.
Thank you for sharing.
my web-site: auto body sacramento
There’s definately a great deal to learn about this topic.
I really like all the points you’ve made.
Test Safari settings and extensions.
Sort within the title of this system and click on enter.