The government's decision in January not to call in the planning application for a new underground coal mine in Whitehaven, Cumbria, raised a few eyebrows. Cumbria County Council was minded to approve the proposal, placing emphasis on the economic and employment benefits. But the decision seemed to go against the government's climate change objectives and came not long after the secretary of state refused permission for a new Highthorn surface mine in Northumberland.
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