§ Mr. ClaphamTo ask the Secretary of State for the Environment how many planning applications were made in the United Kingdom for opencast coal mining sites in the last year for which figures are available; and how many of these(a) were rejected at the initial stage, (b) went to appeal and (c) succeeded at appeal. [3307]
§ Sir Paul BeresfordInformation concerning planning applications for opencast coal mining is not held centrally. Statistics are published annually for the County Planning Officers Society by Durham county council. Four appeals were lodged in England in 1995, of which one has been allowed and one dismissed. Two appeals have yet to be determined. Information relating to appeals in Scotland and Wales is a matter for my right hon. Friends the Secretaries of State for Scotland and for Wales.