A PUBLIC inquiry into plans to dig coal from open countryside has been postponed.

It had been expected a three-week inquiry into Hargreaves Surface Mining’s plans to opencast at a 56-hectare farmland site known as Field House, between Pittington and West Rainton, would be held in July.

However, it will now begin on Tuesday, September 29.

It was last June when a Durham County Council planning committee refused Hargreaves permission to extract up to 514,000 tonnes of coal and 83,000 tonnes of fireclay from Field House over 26 months.

Villagers say the opencast would generate unacceptable noise, dirt, dust, traffic and light pollution and ruin the countryside.

Hargreaves say it would deliver a major economic boost and benefit local communities.

Anyone wanting to comment on the application must do so by Thursday, March 19, by writing to: The Planning Inspectorate, 3/06 Wing, Temple Quay House, 2 The Square, Temple Quay, Bristol, BS1 6PN; or emailing: peter.kozak@pins.gsi.gov.uk.

More information can be found online at planningportal.gov.uk using the appeal reference 3001645.