Opencast Mining

HC Deb 19 January 1987 vol 108 cc581-2

1. Mr. Coleman

asked the Secretary of State for Wales what recent discussions he has had with the chairman of British Coal about opencast mining in south Wales.

24. Mr. Livsey

asked the Secretary of State for Wales what recent discussions he has had with the chairman of British Coal about opencast mining in the Ystradgynlais area in Powys; and if he will make a statement.

The Secretary of State for Wales (Mr. Nicholas Edwards)

I have not recently met the chairman of British Coal to discuss opencast mining.

Mr. Coleman

It was recently reported that the Secretary of State had overruled his inspector concerning a planning application for opencast mining in his own constituency. Will the Secretary of State state precisely his reasons for that? Will he issue a circular containing them, so that local authorities dealing with planning applications for opencast mining may have them for their guidance when deciding upon future applications, whether by British Coal or by private persons?

Mr. Edwards

The reasons were set out in the decision letter. Basically, we had to weigh up the importance of opencast mining to the economy and to the Welsh coal industry—it makes a significant contribution—and the effect of this scheme, especially on the environment, tourism and the local economy. Each case must be decided on its merits.

Mr. Livsey

Will the Secretary of State say whether he is opposed to opencast mining alongside village communities? In my constituency at Upper and Lower Cwmtwrch there are proposals for opencast mining at the Brynhenllys site. Will he reject those proposals?

Mr. Edwards

British Coal has appealed against the refusal of Powys county council to grant planning permission at the site named by the hon. Gentleman. I cannot comment on the merits of the proposal because it is clearly one that I shall have to consider as Secretary of State. The hon. Gentleman knows that I cannot discuss the merits of an individual application.

Mr. Rowlands

Is the Secretary of State aware of the strength of feeling about schemes that could continue for years, disfigure the environment and cause considerable nuisance and difficulty for many residents in the borough of Merthyr Tydfil? Will he at least consider that these decisions and proposals can have a long-term effect in terms of attracting industry to and commercial development in the borough? I hope that the right hon. Gentleman takes those aspects into account.

Mr. Edwards

All those matters and their effect on local communities must be considered, but we must also recognise that there is a need for the range of special and high-quality coals which the industry produces. They provide employment opportunities and contribute to the financial profitability of British Coal. All those matters must be considered on an individual-case basis.

Mr. Rogers

Will the Secretary of State not heed the question put to him by my hon. Friend the Member for Neath (Mr. Coleman) and apply to applications in the valley communities the same criteria as he is applying to the application in his constituency? Does he not think that it is a shame that he made that decision?

Mr. Edwards

It is not a shame that I made that decision. I happen to think that it was right. This is the only one of the cases currently under consideration that has come before me at present. I shall give exactly the same detailed consideration to all these cases.

Mr. Roy Hughes

Does the Secretary of State realise that Labour Members appreciate that there are economic arguments for and against opencast mining and, likewise, important environmental considerations? We are trying to elicit Welsh Office policy. Is it that opencast mining is permissible in any part of Wales other than Pembroke?

Mr. Edwards

The hon. Gentleman started by very fairly weighing up the balance of the issues that must be considered in each case. Only one of the decisions has come before me in the recent past. A number of other cases are being considered by the Department or are likely to come before it in the near future, and we shall consider each on its merits.