ENVIRONMENTAL campaigners yesterday welcomed the withdrawal of an opencast mining application, claiming it was the first victim of tough new Government guidelines, writes Craig Watson.
Lanarkshire-based Law Mining confirmed it had pulled out of an appeal to the Scottish Office over plans to develop a site at Dykes Farm, Cumnock, Ayrshire, but a spokesman would not give the details behind the decision.
East Ayrshire Council said yesterday that planners had opposed the scheme in December before the matter was passed to the Scottish Office.
Friends of the Earth Scotland (FoES) and Cumnock Action Group (CAG) applauded the move as proof that strengthened Scottish Office guidelines announced in October were working.
The Government said then that the measures would protect local communities and the environment from harmful developments.
One policy change was aimed at preventing mining too close to residential areas. It stipulated that sites within 500 metres of a community should be referred to the Scottish Secretary.
The guidance was to be taken into consideration by local authorities immediately, though will not be finalised until spring.
FoES and CAG said it was this ''proximity'' clause and problems over traffic levels which had led to the mining company's decision to withdraw from the appeal.
FoES director Kevin Dunion said: ''Law Mining's decision to withdraw is of major significance to communities across Scotland currently threatened by opencast developments.
''This is proof that the new Government guidance will be of use in protecting communities and the environment from the worst ravages of opencasting.''
Local resident and CAG member Cathie Stevenson said: ''This is great news for the community. It would have been absolute madness to allow an opencast site within 100 metres of people's homes.''
A mining company spokesman said a fresh application could be submitted when the planning guidelines are finalised.
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