§ Mr. Michael Lathamasked the Secretary of State for Energy how many planning applications have been made for new opencast coal mining projects by the National Coal Board since the beginning of 1974; in how many cases he has held a public inquiry under the Opencast Coal Act 1958; in how many cases he has (a) approved, (b) approved with conditions, and (c) refused planning permission; and, in each case, whether the county planning authority indicated its support or opposition to the application at the public inquiry.
§ Mr. EadieSince the beginning of1974 the National Coal Board has made application for 74 opencast coal sites of which to date 59 have been approved and two refused. Planning conditions are always imposed, designed to minimise the impact which working the site will have on the locality. 17 applications gave rise to public inquries, and in 15 of these the county planning authority opposed the application.