CONTROVERSIAL plans to create an open cast mine in picturesque countryside have been refused by councillors following a major campaign of public opposition.

Impassioned pleas to protect the natural beauty of the Derwent valley were made at a lively planning meeting yesterday (tue) at County Hall in Durham.

UK Coal Mining’s application to extract more than 500,000 tonnes of coal from the Bradley site, between Leadgate and Dipton, was unanimously rejected by members of Durham County Council.

Objector Ray Griffin said: "The county has emerged from it industrial past and is now a desirable place to live, none more so than the Derwent Valley.

"Do you really want to offset that with these attempts at environmental vandalism?"

The council received a petition opposing the scheme with 3,389 names, 155 letters of protest, nine objections from community groups, as well as opposition from the former and current MPs, Baroness Armstrong and Pat Glass.

Karen Adamson, of the Pont Valley network, said: "The unique heritage of the area would be completely obliterated if this application is approved."

UK Coal Mining, which is now considering its position, said it would donate £53, 375 for community projects as well as £700,000 towards a new roundabout where the A692 meets the A693.

Three letters of support were also received and John Bewley, a forestry worker and member of Durham Miners’ Association, championed the application on the grounds of the 38 jobs it would create.

The scheme would have lasted three-and-a-half years and seen 74 HGV movements a year between the site, Stanley and Chester-le-Street, down to the A1.

It had been recommended for conditional approval by case officer Claire Teasdale, but members agreed the environmental and ecological costs far outweighed any benefits.

Around fifty protesters, who loudly applauded each of the nine opposition speakers, erupted with cheers when the application was refused before spilling out of the council chamber to celebrate.

Carol Rocke, from the Pont Valley Network, said: "The county council listened to the voice of the people and voted accordingly .

"The heard us say we do not want open cast mining in our valley and they rejected it. We are delighted."