Greetings "All Friends", it has gone quiet on the UK Coal front for a few months now, while our Council planning Senior Officer, Mr M Barker, has been considering what to do about commissioning the Health Impact Assessment that our Public Health Director, gave him responibility for.( 12th May, 2008).

As I am sure many will know, a new campaign group has formed to oppose UK Coals plans, and at the protest earlier this week, I questioned Mr Barker regarding the delay of nearly half a year, in not commissioning the INDEPENDANT HIA.

I was told that the Council are taking legal advice as to if or even do, they have to produce this HIA at all, and if so, they may well use UK Coals facts and figures from their Consultancy firm who submitted the application - this would hardly be called an Independant assessment  do you think?

The Department of Health website regarding HIAs, categorically states that if 2 of 3 qualifying questions are answered yes, then an HIA is Mandatory - not negotiable.

We of Friends of the Ercall, with your help and support, have fought to get this HIA undertaken, before ANY planning board can go to decision, after all, once planning is given, it is irrevocable, and how can an informed decision be made regarding OUR health, unless this HIA is completed first?.

Do not allow this to happen, please continue to write in opposition letters to Telford and Wrekin Planning Officer, Mr D Coxil, Civic Offices, Telford Centre, Telford, and also, to the Public Health Director for Telford, Dr Catherine Woodward, Telford and Wrekin Primary Care Trust, Trench lock, Trench, Telford, -or the CEO , Mr Simon Conolly, at the same address.

You have all seen in the papers, the controversy over the Radio mast at Malinslee, planning given, mast erected, no retrospective HIA or reversal of decision, despite utterances from the Council Leader, and Local MP - the time passed, and now its done and dusted, please dont sleepwalk into a similar decision on the outcome of the Opencast mine issue.

There may well have to be protests at the Primary Care Trust Offices in Trench at some point - we cannot rule this out, and it may be sooner than later, at a day and time of our choosing, our health matters ,our area matters, and our views matter, Please continue to support the campaign against UK Coals obscene plans for our area, and if protests are needed to reinforce the publics calls, feel free to join them and have your say, Radio Shropshire will always be informed, and days/ times will hopefully be allowed to be posted here.

Without the support of you, the people, the Opencast mine will be coming, with your support we can prevent it.

Thank you,

Pat & Friends of the Ercall.

# Posted by Pat judson at 10/10/08; 11:37:53 AM
To the Gossip & Rumour dept.
Comment [0] Trackback [0]
OPENCAST MINE HEALTH REPORT DELAY

The pathways and bridle ways chap, from the council in charge of pathways and bridle ways came to investigate a complaint.


Someone complained that these signs were confusing. "It had to be investigated."

The person in charge of pathways and bridle ways, from the council is from Wolverhampton. Has never been up The Wrekin. He didn't get up to investigate the sign first hand.

Tom, from the Halfway House met him at the bottom, with Pete Lambert from the Shropshire Wildlife Trust, who don't own The Wrekin. He tried to explain that it was a joke. But a joke explained...

Tom said he was going to build another sign, here, at the foot, saying. "Sod off!" Pointing to Wolverhampton.
# Posted by Steve Hooker at 28/9/08; 10:38:48 PM
To the Gossip & Rumour dept.
Comment [0] Trackback [0]
Council designation: Paths & Bridleways

The new road to the mast is complete. elf'n'safety demanded it for the geezers going up to do stuff at the mast. It was also to aid building a second mast, while they took down the old and put up a new.

I learn now, that they're going to use a helicopter. Drag everything to the shooting range, wait till there's stillness, no cross winds—sometime in October.

The helicopter came in £150,000 cheaper than the road. Go figure.

Though, some bad weather and the giant chinnock sitting around for a week... It maybe more £££.
# Posted by Steve Hooker at 28/9/08; 10:29:04 PM
To the Gossip & Rumour dept.
Comment [0] Trackback [0]
Why a road when there's a helicopter?

Now "Auld Nell", was a witch they say,

who lived within a van,

 with a sister called by name of Lena,

 a force for any man,

the two they lived alone,

the side of Ercall wood,

before the motorway came by,

and took the land where their van stood,

as children we did shy away,

in case a spell was laid,

but should we do a simple deed for them,

 a sixpence we were paid,

I knew old  Lena  fairly well,

 her sister called by name of "Lil",

not known as "Auld Nell".

# Posted by Pat judson at 25/9/08; 8:49:57 PM
To the Gossip & Rumour dept.
Comment [0] Trackback [0]
Auld Nell

Hi "All Friends".it seems in tonights Shropshire Star front Page, that the Public health Director, has recommended that a Health Impact Assessment be done in respect of UK coals Opencast Mine application.

Friends of the Ercall welcome this, the Public call has been recognised finally. We first contacted the PCT back in early February regarding this issue, at last, it seems , something is going to be done!

Responsibility for commissioning this study, has now been passed to Mr Michael Barker, Senior Planning Officer, at Telford and Wrekin Council, we look forward to a Health Impact Assessment, pursued vigourously, and robustly, by the Council Officers. We await a time frame to be announced, regarding the length of the HIA, (FFos -Y-Fran in South Wales, I believe, took some 6 months or more), so folks, keep sending in those letters to Mr Dave Coxill, Planning Officer, Telford and Wrekin Council, Civic Offices, Telford, or, E mail your objections to dave.coxill@telford.gov.uk  , quoting planning reference  W2007/1648   , if you dont want a horrible big hole near you, where diesel fumes flow at a rate of 9000,000 Volvo cars per minute, for every heavy digger running on site, affecting your health, that of your children, and probably devaluing your hard won homes, to the point where you will be in negative equity, and most probably unable to sell your home and get out, even if you wanted to.

Make a stand, lets send UK coal , back up North where they come from, and leave our area well alone.

Pat & Friends of the Ercall..

# Posted by Pat judson at 19/5/08; 9:48:52 PM
To the Gossip & Rumour dept.
Comment [0] Trackback [0]
OPENCAST MINE HEALTH IMPACT ASSESSMENT BY THE PRIMARY CARE TRUST

Hello "All Friends", we have posted pictures that show the current views from Arleston Hill, looking towards Short woods and New Works. Also, pictures showing the current views from New Works Farm, looking towards Huntington and Little Wenlock, the Wrekin foreground.

In addition to these lovely views, we have also posted the not so lovely views that will be seen, when the Opencast mine arrives. We would ask you to consider both, and decide which you would prefer to see?

Photographic work on these pictures, is presented by Mr Douglas Northcott, Northcott photographics, who has kindly donated his work to the Campaign, and has our thanks.

Despite  our attempts to get these photographs printed in our local paper, the content is classed as "Unfair to UK coal".         

We shall be putting photos of the damage inflicted upon the Short woods, and Birch Coppice, New Works, by the Firm engaged in removal of the now "Defunct " 33,000 volt power line. Work will soon begin, to remove the last Pylons towards Arleston, and over the Motorway -perhaps more care will be taken when this commences? The remaining Pylons that lay on the proposed UK coal Southern site, around Huntington / Dog in the Lane, have now also been removed, thus the whole planned site, now has no pylons, or power lines crossing it.

Best wishes, Pat & Friends of the Ercall.

# Posted by Pat judson at 18/5/08; 10:41:37 AM
To the Gossip & Rumour dept.
Comment [0] Trackback [0]
Pictures of the Opencast Mine

Greetings "All Friends", we have been busy since the last public Meeting at Lawley Church hall, so postings have been reduced.

I have over the last couple of days, been contacted by New Works residents, concerned at movements on the site. A company has been applying dyed peanut/grain baits around the Badger setts, why and for what reason, we do not know. Pete Lambert has been keeping an eye on this, and to our knowledge, the Council planning, did not know this was going on.

Also, a large Drilling Rig has appeared, directly over the old "Birlee" landfill site, just between New Works farm, and Dog in the Lane, (where the proposed minesite access and exit will be), the site that was used in the mid to late 60s to dump who knows what, and then capped mid to top, with foundry waste.This part of the site, will have water treatment areas, that will outflow to the Lydebrook, somewhat worrying.

Progress on the Health Impact Assessment, called for by the Public at the Lawley meeting when Dr Van Steenis spoke, and our MP, and Leader of the Council were present. Last nights Shropshire Star article regarding Cllr Angela McClements, Arleston ward, plainly expressed her concerns for the people and children in the nearby schools, (we thank you Angela). It is now over 6 weeks since the people called for our Public Health Director, to implement this Health Impact Assessment, and still, movement is minimal, information regarding the HIA, non -existant (apart from a minor acknowledgement in the Shropshire Star, the morning of the last public meeting at Lawley-most convenient timing).

We urge the Public to write to Mr Simon Connoly CEO, or Dr Catherine Woodward, Director of Health Improvement, Telford and Wrekin NHS Primary Care Trust, Sommerfield House, Sommerfield Road, Trench Lock, Trench, Telford. Telling them that the delays in putting this HIA in place are not acceptable, the proposed Opencast mine is a major development, extremely close to thousands of homes, the possible risks to Public Health, are too great to ignore.

If you remember nothing else from the Lawley Public meeting on Health worries, remember this, "For every working minute that the heavy machines operate, it is the equivilent in Diesel emissions, of 900,000 Volvo diesel cars passing by".....enough of a concern for it to be of Public interest?

Best wishes to "All Friends", Pat & Friends of the Ercall.

# Posted by Pat judson at 17/5/08; 7:07:51 PM
To the Gossip & Rumour dept.
Comment [0] Trackback [0]
ACTIVITY ON THE OPENCAST MINE SITE.

Hello "All Friends",  I have been asked by Friends Of the Ercall, to post this event.

The Bluebell Walk, through the Short Woods, on Sunday 27th April, 2008.   10.30 am Start - Duration 1 hour (Approx).

Meeting point for the walk is Steeraway Farm, Limekiln Lane, Wellington.

Stout Shoes or Boots needed, All are welcome.

A collection for the Telford Hospice will be made.

This is a chance for all those that love the beauty of the Bluebell woods, to come and see them as they are now, in their glory.

Should Planning permission for the Opencast mine be granted by the Council, you will be unable to access this area, for some considerable time. Perhaps they will never again look the way they do today, fix this memory in your mind.

Bring your family, enjoy the day, we suggest something to eat and drink, as no refreshments can be had on the walk.

The weather looks to be warming up, so we can only hope for a good turnout. Lets get together, to see and appreciate this beautiful part of our borough, and do some good for the Hospice as well.

Many thanks, Pat & Friends Of The Ercall.

# Posted by Pat judson at 22/4/08; 9:55:49 PM
To the Gossip & Rumour dept.
Comment [0] Trackback [0]
*THE BLUEBELL WALK*

Hello "All Friends", just an update on the OPencast Campaign, there is a Public Meeting at Lawley Church Hall, on Friday May2nd, 7-9pm. 2008.

Speakers will be Peter Lambert, and a full presentation, slides etc, from the Wildlife Trust side of the Opposition argument, and George Chancellor, regarding the cumalitive effects, and from the side of how to tackle Opposition argument.

The Friends of the Ercall will be hosting the evening, and we are most grateful to both speakers for giving up their time to address the public.

Refreshments will be available, and some parking, so we suggest come early to get a place near the hall.

Last months meeting was well attended, we hope that people will support this issue.

The Friends Of The Ercall Thank You.

# Posted by Pat judson at 22/4/08; 8:42:00 PM
To the Gossip & Rumour dept.
Comment [0] Trackback [0]
PUBLIC MEETING AT LAWLEY CHURCH HALL

Dear All,

Hope your are all well , I have attached a copy of the Wrekin Forestproject update for your information.
Shortly I will forward a copy ofthe proceedings of the Wrekin Forest Partnership meeting 1st April 2008. The Partnership is the steering group for the project and a workinggroup of the Shropshire Hills AONB.

You may find all the previous updates and proceedings on Shropshire Hills AONB

If you would like to raise any local conservation issues related to theWrekin Forest now or for it's future care , please get in touch directwith me, and I will either be able to help directly or pass you on tosomebody who can . The Wrekin Forest partnership includesrepresentatives from local government , Parish councils and landownersit is a powerful communication tool to help sustain real debateconcerning the landscape conservation of the Wrekin Forest.

All the best for now, regards Pete.

Pete Lambert, Wrekin Forest Officer /Telford Green Network Officer,Shropshire Wildlife Trust # Posted by Steve Hooker at 8/4/08; 11:55:53 AM
To the Gossip & Rumour dept.
Comment [0] Trackback [0]
Wrekin Forest Project update

Found some Wrekin and Ercall vids from various people on YouTube. Interesting to see so many different uses/users.








# Posted by Steve Hooker at 4/4/08; 10:35:58 AM
To the Gossip & Rumour dept.
Comment [0] Trackback [0]
YouTubes

Greetings all fellow "Friends", todays Shropshire Star article clears up the mystery of who has devastated the woodland, and their reasons for doing so.

 Disused 30,000 volt line, just co-incidence that it crosses the site that UK coal has a planning application in for. No connection with work starting on the site .

Perhaps Central Networks, who admit to the work- and therefore presumeably ,the damage to the trees, (and not the chaos and destruction fairies) could tell us how they managed to cross the site, from end to end, dropping cables merrily, as they bulldozed through the wood, and trundled over fields, yet NOT one mineshaft opened up and swallowed their very heavy plant equipment.

As they hauled the cables through the wood, and damaged, and snapped, in one case, an Oaks crown off, how many of their employees suddenly fell screaming to their deaths, in these oh so dangerous holes we keep hearing of ?

Perhaps I need a lesson in weights and measures,  dangerous hole, + cow, (Or a child on a horse)  = mineshaft cave in, due to weight.

But, if this is correct, then surely,  dangerous mineshaft, + weight of massive bulldozer,+ equipment and hoists, and trailer, to take away removed steel work, should = massive cave in due to weight.

It appears the laws of gravity have changed miraculously on this site, a Horse and rider, or a cow ,now weigh more than a 30 ton machine.

Come on UK coal, we are still waiting for the documentary evidence showing DEATH , or INJURY, from a human falling down one of these shafts or holes, SINCE the date that YOU became owners of the land. Remember, animals such as cows, are not Humans when you respond.

Best wishes to All Friends, Pat&friends of the Ercall.

# Posted by Pat judson at 1/4/08; 3:22:09 PM
To the Gossip & Rumour dept.
Comment [1] Trackback [0]
UNSTABLE GROUND REQUIRES OPENCASTING TO MAK IT SAFE

Hello All Friends. I had hoped to be very positive tonight, after spending a wonderful morning with a group of friends, around the Short woods.Some of the Bluebells are bursting, the others around 14 days away from their wonderful annual show.

Then, we went off the beaten path, around the back of New Works, Birch coppice to be precise, and the devastation that met our eyes was quite upsetting and annoying.

Mature Rowan trees, ripped up, and discarded like matchsticks. Boughs from mature trees, smashed off the living wood. Oaks, though not massive in age, stripped of  branches and foliage as some huge mechanical monster passed by.

But worst of all, seeing a mature old Birch, snapped off around 3 feet from its roots, the sap weeping in rivulets to a growing pool below, like widows tears.

Whats been happening up there, all the power pylons on the proposed opencast site, seem to have been dismantled and removed quietly, and with brutal disregard for the woodland. Those that still remain, in the fields below New Works, and Arleston hill, have huge concrete counter balance weights on them to tension the remaining cables.

The same weights and ties, are seen at New Works farm, heading towards Dog in the lane, where again, the cables have been cut. Even as far as Lydebrook farm, the cables and pylons are coming down.

People are asking Friends of the Ercall, is work on the mine starting.We can only say, not to our knowledge, as planning permission has not yet been given. As we can still object to the Opencast plan, the planning board decision, has obviously, not been taken, so whats going on ?

It seems odd, that the pylons being removed, follow the area that is under application at present, South site, Haul Road, Northern site.

If you have any information, please make it known, and if you get chance, go and have a look at the mess in the woods, where even the concrete piles holding the pylons have been grubbed out.

Best wishes to All Friends.Pat.

# Posted by Pat judson at 30/3/08; 9:03:17 PM
To the Gossip & Rumour dept.
Comment [0] Trackback [0]
woodland devestation

Well done UK coal, you have given us so much ammo its unbelievable.First point, 90 jobs, what a load of old shoemakers, the 40 jobs they admitted to on Radio Shropshires Jim Hawkins show 3 weeks ago, are in their words"Service jobs maintaining supplies to the site"

Point two,on tape, above radio show, 42 months duration -fact.

Point three, crying crocodile tears over peoples safety on the site- They have owned this proposed site since dawley 11 application, so how come it has taken so long for them to realise it is dangerous due to old mine shafts?

Point four, by admitting the site has dangerous shafts on it, and bear in mind, public access via rights of way over this, why have they, the landowners, not made provision in over ten years, to 1, fence off the danger areas, and 2, fail to provide ANY warning signs as to danger, for the publics protection?

We challenge UK coal, here and now, to provide authenticated documents, showing the deaths from falling into mine shafts, and the injuries caused by same, WHILE the land has been in THEIR ownership, and affectingNewWorks, Short Woods, Huntington.

Come on UK coal-bring it on, show us the proof- if its so damn dangerous, in your opinion it needs opencasting to make it safe, wheres the proof?

By proof, I dont mean cows that may or may not have fallen down holes, I mean HUMANS, for a good farmer insures his stock, after all lets face it, what moron doesnt insure house and contents from an act of God?

So wheres your moral high ground now UK coal,?

The land cannot be that dangerous, or public footpaths would not be allowed to cross it, so put your money where your mouth is, and fence off and protect the public by putting up danger notices now, or go crawl back up your own hole.

Best wishes to all friends, dont forget the meeting Friday 4yh April at lawley Church hall, and keep sending in the letters of opposition while you can. Dont forget the Public Health Director too, call for a thorough and comprehensiHealth Impact Asssesment, BEFORE this goes before the Council planning board.

Regards, Pat J.

 

# Posted by Pat judson at 25/3/08; 9:35:57 PM
To the Gossip & Rumour dept.
Comment [0] Trackback [0]
OFFICIAL RESPONSE TO UK COAL PRESS RELEASE FROM FRIENDS OF THE ERCALL

I'll shortly be sending out invitations for a photographic competition to all our members.
The topic is... wait for it... The Wrekin!

Inside, outside, up, down, round and about.

The prize? A nice pat on the back.

All you have to do is follow the instructions, if you're a member, and email your picture to this site.

Here's mine, a nice windy day a few weeks ago. # Posted by Steve Hooker at 21/3/08; 12:35:21 PM
To the Gossip & Rumour dept.
Comment [0] Trackback [0]
Wrekin photo comptetition

Greetings All Friends, just to add an amendment to the Air Quality posting above. I have found some very interesting information on a Department of Health website, buried away in hundreds of pages.

This document is written as minutes of a COMEAP, commitee on the medical effects of air pollutants, 8 October 1999.

This group advises DoH, and consequently this must go downward to local Public Health, council,etc.

Item 4, deals with Communicating with the Public on the Health Effects of Air Pollutants,such as PM10, PM2.5,particulates.

Section 8 of item 4, states "It was suggested that it might be more useful to stress that people  could help by changing their behaviour patterns to reduce pollution by changing their diet, for example to increase their intake of antioxidants which might oppose the effects of the pollutants,rather than saying that there was little one could do to prevent exposure other than moving, which might not in fact be beneficial."

Sections 10,11 12 15, also show similar re-wording for issues regarding health, with 21, and 22,showing we need to be VERY concerned as to what is being fed to us as "Normal baseline" , "Lesser effects" , "similar studies" etc.

Item 6 of the minutes cover "Do Particulates From Opencast Coal Mining Impair Health ?" COMEAP/9914.

Sections 24, 25, 27,28, cover some interesting points, and lead into Item 7, Technologies For reducing Emissions From Motor Vehicles.COMEAP/99/15.

Sections 33,34, also worth looking at carefully for clever downplay wording. Also, no -where have the emmisions from Heavy machinery been mentioned, ie the mega Bulldozers, Dumpers, site lorries, Excavators, which use a much more pollutative diesel to run on.

It may be worth noting, that the Doctor responsible for producing "The Newcastle Report", was present throughout this meeting,  and mentioned as "In Attendance"

The Newcastle Report, is the line of defence, being undertaken by UK coal nationwide, in its attempts to obtain over 30 planning applications to extract coal by Opencast methods..Dr Van Steenis will be making clear many points of omission by these learned proffessors and Doctors of COMEAP,

Check this out yourselves, the website is as follows, http://www.advisorybodies.doh.gov.uk/comeap/minsagenda/nt8oct99.htm

Think Im getting the hang of this Internet thing now, did have some pointers towards this information from the Health Impact Assesment from Ffos-y Fran opencast mine, and the campaign to oppose the application going ahead there.

Again All friends, I urge you to sign the online petitions we have set up, at http://petitions .pm.gov.uk/NoOpencast

or, http://petitions.pm.gov.uk/AirQuality

Regards , Pat.

 

# Posted by Pat judson at 16/3/08; 3:06:21 PM
To the Gossip & Rumour dept.
Comment [0] Trackback [0]
AMENDMENT TO AIR QUALITY POSTING SATURDAY MARCH 15th.

Greetings All Friends, just a small item that may be of interest to some.

I have created a new online petition, calling for urgent action to be taken, to implement a reduction from PM10 particulates,being the baseline national test for Air Quality regarding dust particulates, to that of a PM2.5 baseline test.

In asking for this to be the new National standard for the UK, and for planning authorities regarding new developments, it may be another "Arrow in the Quiver", regarding our ongoing opposition to UK coals obscene planning application that is under consideration.

If you feel that you can support this, please access the petition at  http://petitions.pm.gov.uk/AirQuality

Our health, and that of our children and old folks, matters a great deal in this Issue, and Friends Of The Ercall, are calling for ALL opposing this application by UK coal, to demand a Full, and Comprehensive Health Impact Assesment , to be undertaken by the Council, and the Public Health Directorate for Telford, as a matter of urgency, before this goes before the planning board for a decision.

Uk wide, the vast amount of planned, and in some cases, granted opencast mining sites, have been hamstrung by this demand, and they make very interesting reading.Although some are Tomes, they contain many relative bits of useful information for the fight,regarding the core issues that planning will deliberate upon, need, health, enviroment and cumalitive impact, many of which George Chancellor has pointed to in his draft earlier this month.

Regards to All Friends, Pat .

# Posted by Pat judson at 15/3/08; 10:33:12 AM
To the Gossip & Rumour dept.
Comment [0] Trackback [0]
AirQuality - online petition to implement urgently a new *Baseline* of PM2.5 as the new national standard.

Greetings "All Friends", today's Independent newspaper report has prompted this input.(Monday March 10th).

Mr Hutton, cabinet minister for energy, seems to be endorsing the new generation of coal fired power stations, and seems to have a Bee in his bonnet over environmental campaigners, who oppose the issue, and the deeper and more realistic issue of how the coal will get to these new generation stations - Open casting being our local concern.

He says "Clean coal", has a role to play in energy diversified Britain, with a further 7 coal fired stations, waiting in the wings, to be given the nod from central government. Our current situation is that we cannot produce enough coal to supply the stations we already have, we rely upon massive imports to keep the lights on, surely an escalation of these stations will increase the carbon footprint to an all time high, and cancel out tus, the efforts of common Joe with his small car and recycling box?

By increasing the carbon footprint, I mean in terms of production of the raw material to fire the beasts, not the governments pay lip service policy, that calls for "Clean coal", with locking away of carbon emissions, by capture and storage.

What right have we to deny China and developing countries the means to advance their societies, if we justify the devastation of their landscapes in the pursuit of winning coal for import to fuel these new stations for our own faltering, low carbon reduction (joke) needs.? We are facing a generation of devastation in the shrinking "Green areas" of Britain, we must go to more environmentally less damaging raw material supply, and yes, I do know that the Nuclear beast is being brought to the forefront as an alternative to this emerging problem. What a convenient way for the government in power, to split the Green vote. Prevent and oppose Nuclear power stations, and have a clean landscape, until something goes wrong, and the landscape will still be Green, but with a lot less humans to appreciate it, or accept a ruined landscape in order to survive and appreciate it,the governments version of choice for the common man is clear.

Thanks a lot, present and past governments, you have left us a legacy that will take some beating when history looks back.

Best wishes to All Friends, Pat J.

# Posted by Pat judson at 10/3/08; 11:44:50 AM
To the Gossip & Rumour dept.
Comment [0] Trackback [0]
* BACK TO BLACK* - HOW TO INCREASE THE UKs RELIANCE ON COAL IN ONEEASY LESSON.

Friends of the Ercall, have called a pubic meeting at Lawley Church hall, Friday April 4th. The speaker will be Dr D Van Steenis, who will be stating the facts of Opencast mining on local health, and those who live in the fall out area of the dust/ fumes. We urge "All Friends" to attend if possible, your support is needed, most of us in the three mile zone will be affected in one way or other. As early as January 4th this year, we began to circulate the details of the Dr's paper on Opencast mining, pre-dating any public meetings, and have quietly, been trying to get a venue/ time that was mutually convenient to us .

I would like to thank all members of All Friends Around The Wrekin, for their support since we initially decided to make a stand against the UK Coal application. I am afraid my colleague Elaine Lawton, and Hazel Shearer, have done most of the web work and contacts so far, my ancient computer having given up the ghost, and also my being a bit of a Luddite where technology is concerned.The fight gains momentum, but we must remain vigilant, and look for as many ways to defend the area as we can. More signatures on the you gov website, the address being http://petitions.pm.gov.uk/NoOpencast/

More letters to Dave Coxill at Telford and Wrekin planning office at Darby House,Telford, will obviously be very useful ammunition. The next event we are hoping to get together, will be the "Bluebell Walk", following Pete Lambert's route from New Works, through the Short Woods, up the path by Steeraway farm, and following the return route through Short Woods, back to New Works.I know Peter will happily send out some Woodland Walk fact sheets if contacted. Perhaps if people walk the affected area, stop, and just listen to the Birdsong, inhale the Bluebell fragrance,and look around, then they will realise just what is going to be affected by UK coals plan.

The date of the walk is yet to be fixed, Mother natures schedule is still a wonder to behold, sometimes early, sometimes late, we have to be vigilant, and first sign of the Bluebells breaking around New Works, we will try to get the walk advertised by the Shropshire Star, and Radio Shropshire, and the "All Friends "website. All are welcome, perhaps bring a bin bag to collect any litter seen on the pathways as the walk progresses.

Best wishes to all,

Pat.J.

 

# Posted by Pat judson at 7/3/08; 3:35:45 PM
To the Gossip & Rumour dept.
Comment [0] Trackback [0]
Public Meeting Opencast Mining Issue- Speaker Dr D Van Steenis.

Many thanks for the link to the register of derelict land sites, Brian. Have been trying to get hold of this myself but couldn't locate it on the tangled web of electronic Government sites.

Very interesting to see the extent to which UK Coal has been economical with the truth in its Huntington Lane opencast application in referring to the site as derelict land. In fact, the official database clearly shows this designation only applies to an area of the Shortwoods (46 ha) and part of New Works Wood (8.5 ha) on the other side of New Works Lane, neither of which are actually included in the application area.

Naughty, naughty, methinks. But not, unfortunately, untypical of this particular applicant's regard for the facts.

It is surely something T&W planners will be interested to discover - as will the inspector at any public inquiry.

Let's see what further truth digging on any other aspect of the opencast application reveals ? After all, people who live in dark holes (and employ fancy consultants to help them make loads of money by digging them) have plenty of experience in hiding things away from those of us who live in the sunlight and want to continue doing so, unaffected by the dust and noise of their profiteering !

George (the Younger)

# Posted by George Chancellor at 6/3/08; 7:29:23 PM
To the Gossip & Rumour dept.
Comment [0] Trackback [0]
So it's not Derelict Land after all

hi,

i'm a member of the wrekin north riding club and i'm trying to organise a picnic ride to the wrekin halfway house and back again. i have been trying to find the phone number for Tom at the halfway house to see if he would be prepared to do sandwiches and drinks for us. we would pay for it all in advance and give him the number of people coming. would appreciate if you could either ask Tom to phone me on xxxx or xxxx to talk about it, or let me have his number so i can phone him. many thanks

Jo

p.s. would there be a restriction on the number of horses that can be on the wrekin at any one time? I know that it isn't officially a bridleway and wondered if there were any rules we would need to follow other than the common sense ones! # Posted by Steve Hooker at 27/2/08; 3:00:50 PM
To the Gossip & Rumour dept.
Comment [0] Trackback [0]
Mail from Jo Young

As promised at Monday'meeting, just a few pointers on planning matters for letters of objection some of which Wrekin Friends may wish to pick up in letters to David Coxhill, Minerals Planning, Telford & Wrekin Borough Council, Darby House, by March 3^rd.

1. Need

National and local planning policy requires the application to demonstrate need.

 

UK Coal says it will supply Ironbridge or Rugeley power stations. Both these facilities are currently well served with coal – much of which is imported. At the same price delivered –  which the coal would have to be

to compete – the overall environmental cost to the country is substantially greater from the proposed development (overburden removal, extraction, processing and road transport) than from importation (involving merely unloading and rail transport).

At a burn rate of 6000 tonnes per 15/16 hour operating day, the coal extracted will only keep Ironbridge power station going for an estimated total of just over 20 weeks – or just seven weeks per year of operation. That’s hardly a major need; especially since it is already being served quite acceptably from other sources far less damaging to the national let alone local environment.

 

Any need argument is further undermined by the extent to which both national and local policy is increasingly seeking to maximise electricity generation from renewable sources rather than from fossil fuels known to have such a major impact on CO₂ emissions and climate change

 

In various guises, the site has been subject to a series of planning applications over the past 20 or so years.

 

At the most recent (Dawley II) which went to Public Inquiry in 1998, the Inspector concluded  that ‘the coal in the application site is not of a notably high or rare quality that makes it particularly sought after’ and labelled it ‘no more than general purpose opencast coal.

 

Overall, therefore, while there could be a market for the coal to be won from the site, there is no significant national or regional need to justify its extraction at this time.

 

2. Landscape & Environment

 

Because the application affects the Shropshire Hills Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty (AONB) national and local planning policy contains a presumption against the development except in exceptional circumstances and only if it is demonstrated to be in the public interest.

 

UK Coal seeks to minimise the importance of its AONB impact by suggesting that the area affected is only very small and of relatively little value. This undermines the whole principle of safeguarding the Area and sets a very dangerous precedent for the future.

 

At the same time, the applicant fails to recognise that the site’s position on the thin northern arm of the AONB in close proximity to the major conurbation of Telfordm makes it arguably more vulnerable than most of the rest of the Area, so worthy of particular protection.

 

Beyond a possible market for the coal there is clearly:

§         No significant need for the mineral;

§         No exceptional circumstances that might it should be permitted; and,

§         No public interest in the proposal going ahead.

 

After all, the site itself would only offer a total of 40 jobs, the bulk of these being relatively low-paid and over a very short timescale.

At the same time, it would only provide sufficient coal for Ironbridge Power Station to run for 7 days in each of its year’s of operation.

 

The land in question forms one of the last remaining examples of natural post-industrial regeneration from previously mined land – all other remnants within the area having been destroyed by extensive open-casting over the years.

 

It is vitally important areas such as these are preserved intact if at all possible, their relatively low agricultural quality being a major asset given the extent to which low fertility sites are valuable in conservation terms.

 

Nor should a small part of the site’s alleged inclusion in the register of derelict land be a serious consideration, not least since the scale of its natural regeneration has clearly underlined its ecological value.

 

As a vital piece of open space forming a prominent foreground to the distinctive AONB landscape of the Ercall and Wrekin for the bulk of Telford residents the site is also far more important than would otherwise be the case both visually and for local recreation.

 

To disrupt such a vital local asset unless at a time of extreme national need would be nothing short of environmental vandalism at this stage in its successful regeneration.

 

Leave the existing reserves intact would further safeguard them for such a time, rather than allow them to be exploited when economic imported sources of fuel are readily available at far less environmental cost and community impact.

 

3. Important Sites & Species

 

As well as the AONB, the site will affect a number of nationally important sites and species for which national and local planning policy provides specific protection.

 

Drainage of water from the site into the Lydebrook may put at risk the Lydebrook Dingle Site of Special Scientific Interest which has over the past 10 years been recovering significantly from the ill-effects of pervious opencast mining and coal processing at Swan Farm and Coalmoor.

 

The proposed development also cuts across a scheduled Ancient Monument designated to preserve some of the last remnants of early coal mining in the locality from precisely the sort of opencast development envisaged.

 

UK Coal seeks to justify this by claiming that the development could improve access to the Ancient Monument which is neither necessary or desirable since the monument is designated to protect the remains rather than to encourage unrestricted access to them, which could easily have seriously negative effects.

 

The development will have an unacceptably negative effect on the setting of two Grade II listed buildings and directly affects four badger setts and the foraging territory of two further badger clans.

 

4.  Transport

 

Specific planning policies constrain mineral developments on transport grounds.

As well as creating unacceptable levels of traffic in and around the site, the development will add an excessive burden of additional heavy lorry traffic on a stretch of road insufficiently well-engineered to take it and potentially cause serious traffic problems in a major focus of current urban development.

 

This section of road on the approach to Horsehay, in particular, is already badly crumbling under the constant pressure of HGVs moving to and from the Candles Landfill site. An additional 130 or so extra heavy lorry movements a day over the period would clearly cause immense problems to this section of the highway network.

 

It would also add significantly to the danger of the Horsehay road junction where the poor road surface has led to a number of near accidents over the years.

 

Were the coal to be destined for Rugeley power station,the extra traffic would also have a serious effect on the major developments taking place at Lawley and scheduled to cause disruption to the local highway network for some considerable time to come.

 

5.  Other Local Impacts

 

Local minerals planning policy stipulates that people and the environment should be protected from adverse effects including visual, noise and dust.

The location of a substantial primary school and major current residential area and site of current massive residential development less than 1 km immediately downwind of the site raises serious health worries over dust pollution.

 

Local experience with repeated opencast coal mining over the years reinforces the inadequacy of dust control measures in practice and the almost total inability of local residents to gain action over clear dust problems once sites are up and running.

 

The effect of dust and disturbance on the adjacent Shortwoods ancient woodland and two local wildlife sites is also likely to be considerable.

 

The lack of effective mitigation over reversing bleepers in particular, together with the potential for blasting and the extended 42 month timescale for the development will further cause serious problems for the local community within 250 m of the site at New Works, Huntington and Arleston, not to mention residents of Lawley and parts of Wellington.

6.  Cumulative Impact

 

National and local planning policies provide specific protections from the cumulative impact of minerals developments.

 

The proposed development would significantly add to the disruption and disturbance of the local community from more than 50 years of extensive open-casting and directly-related activity in the immediate vicinity.

 

Whereas, UK Coal assesses cumulative impact almost entirely on the basis of current sites, national minerals planning policy clearly defines cumulative impact as arising from ‘successive opencast developments over a number of years’.

 

As well as opencast coal mining at Ketley Brook, Arleston, Candles, Simons, Coalmoor, Swan Farm and a whole host of other sites since the 1950s, the local area continues to be blighted by the effects of poorly controlled land-filling following mining at Smalley Hill and the operation of the Candles landfill which continues to be the source of much local complaint as a result of traffic, litter, odour and vermin.

 

Large numbers of local residents have been affected by the cumulative impact of these and other developments in their lifetime.

 

7.   Special Protection

Local planning policy states that applications for coal or fireclay working in the South Western Telford Area will only be granted planning permission if one or more of three exceptional circumstances apply.

 

(i)  Where the need for the mineral outweighs the material planning objections;

(ii) Where working would prevent the sterilisation of the resource; or

(iii) Where significant benefits would be obtained as a result of the exchange or surrender of existing permissions.

UK Coal’s proposals clearly do not meet exceptional circumstance (i) since there is no demonstrable need for the mineral – other than a possible market for it – and there are a large number of highly material planning objections.

 

They also fail to meet circumstance (ii) because the mineral is in no danger of sterilisation – defined in national planning policy as ‘new permanent development above the coal reserves’.  This was confirmed by the Inspector’s clear ruling at the 1998 Public Inquiry.

 

And finally they cannot meet circumstance (iii) because UK Coal has no existing permissions in the area to surrender.

 

8.  Reclamation and After Use

Planning policy requires the development to incorporate a scheme to reclaim the site for a suitably beneficial after-use within a reasonable timescale.

Quite contrary to UK Coal's assertion that the site will be reclaimed within five years, experience with successive opencast sites reclaimed to agricultural use in the immediate area in recent years have conclusively demonstrated that the lack of reasonably amounts of soil and the soil handling practices employed are unlikely to result in land in an acceptable condition for at least 10 years; and in at least the condition it is current in for more than a generation.

 

At the same time, UK Coal has already admitted in public than an associated company is looking to exploit the ‘brownfield’ status the site will have after opencasting for a future major development of housing, so its reclamation proposals are little more than fantasy.

 

Happy letter writing !!!!!

[Later additions by George Evans]
Just one addition to the objections. Where it talks of particle fallout, the commercial/business park around Tesco is right in the path of the prevailing winds blowing toxic dust. Not only will customers' cars be covered in dust but so will the food; Tesco might even lose money!

Oh, and another. Post industrial regeneration - the way 'Nature' fights back from the effects of human activity - is an up-and-coming subject for academic research. It is fascinating to watch the sequences of regrowth and will be even more interesting as more is learned of soil science, which is still in its infancy. The paleotechnic landscape on this site is unique and of great value to earth scientists. # Posted by George Chancellor at 15/2/08; 7:15:58 PM
To the Gossip & Rumour dept.
Comment [0] Trackback [0]
Friends Objections to Opencast Mining

Star, again! "Protesters fighting plans by UK Coal to start open-cast mining in Telford have draped road bridges in the town with campaign banners." # Posted by Steve Hooker at 13/2/08; 10:31:39 AM
To the Gossip & Rumour dept.
Comment [0] Trackback [0]
Banners tell of coal bid protest:

From the Shropshire Star's comments section: "Dr van Steenis spoke at Pyle two years ago to help prevent the extension of the Kenfig Hill opencast works and Carwen Jones AM was in the audience and he refused to believe what Dr van Steenis told the meeting. Carwen Jones has done a U-turn on opencasting as he now realises what a terrible price is to be paid in terms of health.

I suggest that the action group gets the facts from Dr van Steenis who has been successful in beating UK Coal on previous occasions and they will not want history to repeat itself in Shropshire." # Posted by Steve Hooker at 13/2/08; 10:25:42 AM
To the Gossip & Rumour dept.
Comment [0] Trackback [0]
Wrekin mine plans attacked

A huge crowd! Lots having to stand.

Started off a little rambling... We needed to confirm present posts. George Evans is still the President, Pat's husband, still the Treasurer, in charge of twenty two pounds. I'm still webmaster/secretary. Need a new chairman, nobody stepped forward.

Not that we need anybody to be anything, really. As I was told and agreed with outside, "we're just a network of awkward old sods."

Wrekin Forest Partnership

There was a long intro and overview from Peter Lambert SWT. Basically, it's all happening, so he's get to keep his job and we get a brilliant woodsman and diplomat. Lots of interested parties at the Pancake Day Meeting. The Judge calmed things down a lot, and there's going to be another meeting on 1st April. I hope I can get a hold of the paper work: their mission statements, there's a lot of them.

There's going to be another user forum, committee thing: Forest Trails Partnership. That's to gather all the mountain bikers, horse riders walkers together to sort out the pathways and bridleways. It's a mess on the maps, it needs updating, it's going to need people to walk the paths and report, it's going be awkward to sort and take some months. Sometime in the near future.

Tom jumped up and dramatically announced that there's going to no new development at the foot of The Wrekin. Nothing. This was his bee-in-the-bonnet at the Pancake Day meet, and all is well there. No fancy pants interpretation centre, no cafe, the economics just won't wash. If anywhere it's going to be in Wellington, probably in the new library. The feasibility study? There was no feasibility study, the whole thing was an idea, that took off, out of control. There's going to be no pimping of the hill... Though, I'm still keeping an eye on this, as it seems the big sign for the hill fort, which is, by accounts, quite huge, is going not in Tom's, he's refused it, but in the car park. How much did that cost?

Jason, new manager, from the Buckatree Hotel, didn't show up, but has reduced bar prices to a normal level, and is starting bar meals and other things to attract the common walker and local. I hope he'll do