A SECOND public inquiry over controversial plans to create an opencast coalmine in north Durham countryside is underway.

Energy firm UK Coal is appealing against Durham County Council’s decision three years ago to block plans to develop land near Leadgate, Consett.

Planning officers had recommended the scheme for approval, but it was rejected by councillors following a groundswell of public opposition over environmental concerns.

The decision was upheld by a planning inspector after a public inquiry in autumn 2011, but a High Court judge later quashed the inspector's findings.

Proceedings for another four week inquiry overseen by planning inspector Kathleen Ellison started today (Tuesday, October 7) at Leadgate Workmen’s Social Club and Institute, in St Ives Road.

Ruth Stockley, the barrister representing Durham County Council, said: “The site has been worked in the past and the scars of that working have effectively healed.

“It is of intrinsic value to the community in which it sits and the destruction of it would have significant effects on its character.

“The proposal is environmentally unacceptable.”

UK Coal is seeking permission to extract 520,561 tonnes of coal, including 75,000 tonnes of coking coal, from the nearby site at the Bradley site over a period of three-and-a-half years.

The company has said a five year restoration plan will be carried out afterwards followed by a further ten year period of conservation management.

Timothy Corner QC, for UK Coal, said the scheme would support 38 skilled well paid jobs for people in the area and the coal mined would benefit the domestic electricity market.

He said: “The restoration scheme will bring a range of environmental benefits. The increased provision of footpaths will increase the recreational opportunities.

“Furthermore, within the overall context of the landscape, which will be richer and more varied than before, ecological enhancements will result from the provision of new species-rich hedgerows, the provision of wetland and species-rich grassland across the site, together with the provision of new woodland and enhanced management of the ancient woodland.”

Speakers from the company and the council will give evidence over the next few weeks along with protestors from the Pont Valley Network, Campaign for the Protection of Rural England and the area’s MP Pat Glass.

Ms Ellison said the main issues surrounded the environmental impact, whether the plan could be made acceptable and whether community benefits outweighed adverse effects.