Whitehaven coal mine quashed by High Court

A High Court judge has ruled that mine plans are ‘legally flawed’.

West Cumbria Mining was to operate the mine for coking coal at Whitehaven in Cumbria.

It was initially approved by the local council in 2020, but took until 2022 to be approved by the UK Government.

The mine then faced legal challenges on environmental grounds, but the government withdrew its defence in July.

West Cumbria Mining (WCM) developers continued to oppose the claims of climate damage, saying the mine would be net-zero.

Mr Justice Holgate said in a ruling today that ‘The assumption that the proposed mine would not produce a net increase in greenhouse gas emissions, or would be a net-zero mine, is legally flawed’.