Whitehaven coal mine opposition provokes real anger, mayor says
Criticism of plans for the UK's first deep coal mine in 30 years is misplaced and has provoked "real anger", the local mayor has said.
The mine, near Whitehaven, was approved by Cumbria County Council and the government has declined to intervene.
Coking coal from the mine, to be used in producing steel, would "drive forward green energy projects", Copeland mayor Mike Starkie claimed.
Opponents say the site will cause significant environmental damage.
Mr Starkie said he believed people across West Cumbria were overwhelmingly in favour of the scheme as it would "underpin an economic revitalisation" by providing hundreds of jobs.
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