A major step has been taken in re-introducing mining to West Cumbria.

Following the green light from Cumbria County Council in October 2020, a holding direction was issued, meaning Robert Jenrick, the Secretary of State for Housing, Communities and Local Government, was considering whether or not to call-in the decision.

But after a long-running series of challenges, work on the £165 million plan is officially one step closer to beginning, as the county council's decision to to grant planning permission will no longer be called-in.

And Mayor of Copeland, Mike Starkie, is delighted with the news.

"I am thrilled with the news that the Secretary of State will not be calling-in Cumbria County Council’s decision to approve the West Cumbria Mining application for Whitehaven.

“In the letter I have received following my support of the mining application, the Minister of State for Housing writes that the Government has decided that this a decision best taken locally – and I wholeheartedly agree.

“The case has now been referred back to Cumbria County Council to complete the legal requirements on the decision their Planning Panel took in October, and I look forward to this process being completed as quickly as possible so this key project can finally get under way.

“This is a significant employment and new skills opportunity for Copeland and West Cumbria at this extremely challenging time, and will play a significant role in our economic recovery. It will supply the domestic and European steel industry with high quality metallurgical coal, thereby representing an important new export-led industrial project.

“This project has had my support since day one, as well as that of Copeland Council, our community and businesses, and it is extremely welcome news that it has taken this significant step forward today.”

For the plans to formally go ahead, a Section 106 Agreement must be established by the council.

A spokesperson for Cumbria County Council said: "The Secretary of State has the power to take over particular planning applications rather than letting the local planning authority decide, which is known as ‘call-in’.

"We have been informed that the Secretary of State has decided not to call in the decision on the planning application for West Cumbria Mining. This is a matter for the Secretary of State and therefore it would not be appropriate for us to comment on their decision.

"The Council will now work with the developer to formalise the legal planning obligations, referred to as a section 106 Agreement.

"The Section 106 agreement will need to be finalised before the Council can formally give the development permission."