Proposed Open Cast Site at Airfield Farm, Cousland
This page was last updated on: Friday, August 21, 2009 0:01 AM
This page has been added to the Cousland village website to provide information on the proposed open cast site at Airfield Farm near Cousland.
- Application Plans
- Blog
- Scottish Planning Policy 16 (Open Cast Coal)
- Public Meeting
- Contacts and further information
- Useful links
Airfield Farm - proposed open cast site
Application Plans
09/00349/FUL Extraction of coal by surface mining methods, formation of new access to A6093 and restoration to agriculture (this application is accompanied by an environmental statement prepared under the environmental impact assessment (Scotland) regulations 1999) Airfield Farm Cousland Dalkeith Midlothian EH22 2PE . (Link to submitted application documentation)
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Blog updates...
Online petition: Amending Planning Circular 3/2009
02 February 2010
Cousland Park Livery Fundraiser success
14 December 2009
CAAOC Benefit Night
02 December 2009
This Scottish Planning Policy (SPP) sets out the national planning policy framework for the working of opencast coal. Click the image above to download this document (PDF 174Kb)
Scottish Planning Policy 16: Opencast Coal (2005)
EXTRACT: "Planning authorities should use their development plans to identify areas where opencast coal extraction may be acceptable. There should be a presumption against development outwith these areas.
Within identified areas, extraction should only take place if the impact on local communities and the environment is acceptable; or if the proposal provides local or community benefits that outweigh the impacts. If this cannot be done, the presumption against development remains.
The Executive expect planning authorities and operators to work closely with local communities at all stages of the planning process. Where planning permission is granted, arrangements should be put in place to ensure that sites are properly monitored and that legitimate community concerns can be addressed quickly".
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Local residents and representatives from neighbouring communities gather in Cousland Village Hall to discuss the proposed plans for Airfield Farm.
Credit: Julie-Ann Photography
Public Meeting
A public meeting was held in Cousland Village Hall on Thursday 29th August 2008 to discuss Scottish Coal's plans for an open cast coal mine at Airfield Farm near Cousland.
The hall was packed to capacity with over 120 members of the local community and many other interested parties meeting to discuss concerns over the proposal plans.
Also present were Rhona Brankin MSP for Midlothian and Lisa Beattie, Local Councillor for Ward 5, which includes the Cousland area. A number of other Councillors attended from adjacent East Lothian areas which will also be affected.
Scottish Coal gave a short update on the progress of their proposed planning application, reiterated points contained in the scoping report and took questions from the floor. They encouraged those present to make comments both to themselves and to Ian McFarlane of Midlothian Council Planning Department.
It was noted that a planning application has not yet been submitted although that is the intention. A public discussion took place involving the whole community and a subsequent show of hands reinforced the communities' view that this is a wholly unwelcome proposal and that opposition will be virtually unanimous on a wide range of contentious issues which were raised.
Rhona Brankin MSP for Midlothian speaks at the Cousland public meeting discussing proposed plans for an open cast mine at Airfield Farm.
Credit: Julie-Ann Photography
These concerns were identified broadly as:
- Roads and transport issues - 42 ton trucks each carrying 29 tons of coal making 126 journeys a day from Airfield to Cockenzie via A68
- Wildlife and the Environment - Hadfast Valley (a SSSI) is located 400m from the proposed mine and is one of the most important sites for breeding birds in the Lothians
- Dust and Air quality - Concern has been expressed on possible health effects for those suffering from asthma and other respiratory conditions.
- Noise and vibration - Blasting from the site may pose a risk to the structure of Cousland castle and Cousland homes
- Landscape and visual impact - The area proposed is in an Area of Great Landscape Value and includes a number of Listed Wildlife Sites. It is on prime agricultural land.
- Property and Business Values - The value of any homes situated half a kilometre from an open cast mine will fall. All businesses related to tourism or recreation will suffer. Investment will be discouraged.
- Health impacts - Concerns expressed about the health and safety of our children in particular.
- Cumulative Impact - the proposed recycling plant at Smeaton Bing combined with the proposed open cast mine and other developments would have a seriously detrimental effect on the quality of life in the village which has been blighted by a disproportionate number of developments for the past 25 years.
Local residents of Cousland Village and the sourrounding area gather in the village hall to discuss the impact of the proposed open cast coal mine.
Credit: Julie-Ann Photography
Both Rhona Brankin, MSP and Lisa Beattie, Councillor asked that members of the public contact them in writing to express their concerns and views on the proposals and also encouraged communication with agencies such as Scottish Natural Heritage, Scottish Environmental Protection Agency, Historic Scotland, RSPB, Transport Scotland etc on specific issues.
You can write to:
David Hamilton MP
95 High Street, Dalkeith, Midlothian, EH22 1AX
Email: hamiltonda@parliament.uk
Website
Rhona Brankin MSP Midlothian
P.O. Box 11, 95 High Street, Dalkeith, EH22 1AX
Website
Scottish Parliament
Rhona Brankin MSP, The Scottish Parliament, Edinburgh EH99 1SP
Telephone: 0131 654 1585
RNID TypeTalk calls welcome
Fax: 0131 654 1586
Telephone: 0131 348 5838 Fax: 0131 348 5988
Email: Rhona.Brankin.msp@scottish.parliament.uk
Lisa Beattie, Councillor Ward 5 Midlothian
Tel. 0131 271 3090
Email: lisa.beattie@midlothian.gov.uk
Website
Representatives from Scottish Coal give the local residents of Cousland Village an update on the open cast mine plans.
Credit: Julie-Ann Photography
Midlothian Planning
Ian McFarlane, Planning Officer (Major Developments)
or
Ian Johnson, Head of Planning
Midlothian Council, Fairfield House, 8 Lothian Road, Dalkeith, EH22 3ZN
Email: ian.johnson@midlothian.gov.uk
East Lothian
Iain Gray MSP
65 High Street, Tranent, East Lothian, EH33 1LN
Tel.
01875 616 610
Email.
iain.gray.msp@scottish.parliament.uk
Constituents in East Lothian are encouraged to contact their ward councillors
Ruth Currie, Robert Knox and John Hume have expressed their opposition to the plans.
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Further information and contacts
We have set up an email address within the local community should you have any comments, questions or queries - airfield.couslandcoal@virgin.net or alternatively, telephone 0131 663 2730.
Mailing list
If you would like to be kept informed by email of this development, please subscribe to the village mailing list and choose 'Airfield Farm Open Cast Mine' from the list of options. We will keep you updated with all news, events, discussions and other information relating to this development as soon as we receive it.
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Links
- Scottish Resources Group (Scottish Coal) - www.scottishcoal.co.uk
- Coal Action Edinburgh - http://coalactionedinburgh.noflag.org.uk/
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Images
Airfield farm site from the North |
Airfield farm site from the North |
Airfield farm site from the East |
Airfield farm site from the North |
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