Hi Ivor, that's awful to read. I hope it can be stopped and save the area. Hopefully some petitions could be circulated but not sure of their effects. See what the RSBP replies with.
Thank-you Jason. This is a tiny, insignificant part of England and a long way from London. I just hope that someone with some say in protecting our environment can intervene.
I am sure that the Northumbrian Wildlife Trust,along with other will be involved with the protection of the area around Druridge Bay.We have a similar situation on a smaller scale on a local reserve to us when there is an application in to quarry for aggregates.There are a lot of regulations that companies have to go through before work can go ahead and after the site is worked out but that is not always a lot of consolation to either the wildlife or local inhabitants.In the case of Druridge Bay it is ironic that some of the best birding sites just inland of the bay were created by coal mining.One of our favourite areas so we will be watching this one carefully,thanks for pointing it out Ivor.
I have been told that Northumbrian Wildlife Trust are mostly funded by Banks Mining and are not speaking out against the plan. :( I have found this site which highlights the issues of the open cast. http://www.savedruridge.co.uk/ A lot of the natural regeneration is of ex coal-mining pits, but the damage that will be brought about by a new mine will undo all of that.
Interesting that the mining company support the Wild Life Trust financially.If the proposal goes ahead,looking at the basic map,it will have a big affect of Cresswell Pool as it looks as though it will be just over the fields.
There's a petition here if people are interested: committees.northumberland.gov.uk/.../EMnzAFASA3dKDw7pXeAet9v
The Fracking is a big issue to. in the 14th round of the onshore licensing the cross party committees pushed through that applications for fracking in many areas including:
"Areas of Outstanding Natural Beauty
World Heritage Sites
National Parks
the Broads"
The big 3 parties have all been involved in this and are keeping that quiet on the run up to the election. For those who don't know, fracking involves pumping billions of tons of water that can be mixed with biocides, sulphuric acid and toxins to push out the gas. That water then comes back up to the surface contaminated with heavy metals and hydrocarbons and enters the food chain. Lovely!
The new trespass laws also make the mining companies exempt from liability to the damage they do above ground.
How do I raise this with the RSPB to ask then to fight against the mine and the fracking?
Thank-you Jason. I have just found out that the government have also sold methane extraction licences off the coast from here (which includes the sea around Coquet Island RSPB Reserve.) down to Hartlepool. No consultation. Big business more important that our environment.
you.38degrees.org.uk/.../hands-off-our-coastline;time=1423213137
Signed