May I just direct everyone to the original post on this thread, which seemed to suggest that if Highthorn was to be approved it would destroy Druridge Bay, an absolute nonsense in itself, seeing as how most of the hinterland of Druridge Bay has already been mined continuously between the 1950s and most recently four or so years ago with Steadsburn site, yet it somehow has survived.
Since then, the site has been approved for working by the County Council, but for reasons that appear to have been political it has been called in for a public inquiry that will involve both the taxpayer and the developer expense running into probably six figures each, all of which will find its way into the pockets of lawyers and barristers. After this public inquiry, which will no doubt find that the site was approved correctly under current planning law, the site will proceed.
However, for those who see this as a victory, bear in mind that but for this political interference the site would have started a year, maybe two earlier than it will. More importantly it will end a year, maybe two later than it would, meaning that any environmental improvements will be delivered that much later. So much for 'caring for the environment'. For those who are worried about improvements promised not being delivered, how precisely to they think that getting the developer committed to hundreds of thousands of pounds of legal costs will make his spending of money on environmental improvements any easier?
Secondly, away from the OP, which threatened the destruction of Druridge Bay (which as has been shown will not be affected, since the site is not actually on Druridge Bay) we have moved on to the ludicrous suggestion that if this site, with its rather small three million tonnes of production, goes ahead then the entire planet is doomed through the impact of climate change supposedly enacted by one small mine, no larger than many of the many others that have worked much closer to the actual bay. Now apparently, it's not just the bay that's at threat. It's the entire world.
Ian, get a grip.
If this job goes, or if it doesn't, it will make absolutely no difference the to future of the climate of the planet. It's less than a drop in the ocean. China, as just one example is increasing its output every year, year on year by much more than the entire output of the UK. If we as a country closed for business tomorrow then everything globally would be back as it was within a couple of months, except everyone in the UK, including Ian would be destitute. To those naive enough to believe that if we 'set an example' the world will follow, just look at how well that 'example' has worked on global human rights since 1945. Nobody in the world gives a stuff as to how the UK goes about its business and it would be incredibly patronising to assume otherwise. Nobody is looking to us as an example.
The site will however mean a great deal of difference to the honest local working men who want to pay their mortgages and look after their families by working at proper jobs which produce, not consume, real wealth without people who have less than no idea about the realities of the industry they work in advocating that they should be refused the jobs in which they are skilled.
There is no merit in wishing people on the dole because of ill-informed dogma. Quite the opposite.
