Yorkshire Against New Coal
The Plans Panel (east) will this week decide whether to approve or to reject the application by Banks Developments, for an open cast coal mine alongside Fairburn Ings nature reserve. The planning process has received more than 1600 individual objections letters, alongside additional objections from five Parish Councils, MPs and Councillors, as well as opposition from the local opposition group RAGE.
YANC, who have been instrumental in public engagement have also submitted opposition based on climate change grounds and have provided the Planning Officer and the members of the planning committee with planning regulation guidance, to confirm this application can be overturned on climate change grounds.
The single greatest threat to the climate comes from burning coal. Indeed coal fired generation is historically responsible for most of the fossil fuel CO2 in the air today and about half of all fossil fuel carbon dioxide emissions globally. Coal fired power generation is the most environmentally damaging form of power generation yet devised.
In April this year the Executive of Leeds City Council approved the new “Climate Change Strategy: Vision for Action” which, in accordance with the signing of the Nottingham Declaration, commits the Council to address the causes and impacts of climate change.
Leeds City Council now have the opportunity to show that they are strong on climate change. Planning is integral to addressing climate change – however, the planning committee have been advised to approve the application.
Leeds City Council must reject this planning application.
YANC will be outside Leeds Civic Hall on Thursday June 4th. Join us from 11:30 to show your opposition > bring your placards and banners for a peaceful demonstration to show that Leeds City Council has a responsibility to address climate change.