West Cumbria Mining (WCM) can confirm that the judicial review challenge lodged against Cumbria County Council with West Cumbria Mining named as an interested party, has been withdrawn by the claimant.
The claim was withdrawn by Marianne Bennett of the group, Keep Cumbrian Coal in the Hole on Monday 18th May during a preliminary directions hearing at the High Court as it was highly likely that the claim would have been dismissed if the Claimant had sought to proceed with the action.
West Cumbria Mining is extremely disappointed by the delays which have been caused by this now abandoned legal challenge. It regrets the delay to important new job creation in west Cumbria, to new investment and to our plans to deliver the project. WCM now looks forward to progressing its plans at this important time with so much economic uncertainty across the UK. Further, the longer the WCM project is delayed then the more metallurgical coal will be imported from the USA and around the world to supply British and European steelmakers. The emissions from this transportation are considerable and have been acknowledged by Ministers in Parliament. WCM continues to receive strong support from the local community and wider stakeholders.
Providing a responsibly mined, high quality, critical raw material to the UK and European steel industry
Our commitment to carbon offsetting is a core part of our Corporate Social Responsibility policy forming a key element of our Sustainability Fund.
