Commenting on Cumbria County Council’s recent decision to reconsider the Whitehaven coal mine, Stephen Trotter, Chief Executive of Cumbria Wildlife Trust, said: 

"The planet is facing a climate and wildlife emergency and the impacts are already being felt here in Cumbria … so we’re pleased to see that Cumbria County Council is reviewing its decision to approve the Woodhouse coal mine in Whitehaven. We support the urgent need for new job creation in West Cumbria but this can’t be at the risk of putting the environment on which we all depend at further jeopardy.’

"It’s really important that Cumbria County Council now considers the significant international concerns and compelling evidence raised by key experts on the coal mine and reverses its earlier decision. Central Government must at the same time prioritise clean energy and provide the resources to invest in alternative green jobs in Cumbria."