It is over four years ago since Banks Mining submitted the application to develop the three million tonne open-cast Highthorn Mine. Two years ago, Sajid Javid, the then communities secretary, turned down its application for the site, but, undeterred the company pressed on to have these plans reconsidered.

County councillors had originally approved the scheme but for over four years it was met with opposition. Local residents, wildlife groups and environmentalists including Northumberland Wildlife Trust argued that the mine would have huge implications for the environment both locally and globally, effecting beloved wildlife including otters, dolphins and pink-footed geese on this beautiful stretch of the Northumberland coastline.

Mike Pratt, Northumberland Wildlife Trust’s Chief Executive is both relieved and grateful with the Government’s decision to finally refuse permission for the proposed Highthorn Mine to go ahead, he said: “From the outset this was always a difficult proposal to accept from an environmental point of view. It sits next to a Site of Special Scientific Interest - Cresswell Pond which we conserve for wildlife and forms part of a seven-mile sweep of beach, dunes and fields which are extremely important for birds and, for people who come to marvel at the spectacular scenery.

“It would have been totally unacceptable to open a coal mine in the middle of a climate and extinction crisis and to try to do so during a world-wide health crisis would have been totally inappropriate.

“The coal industry is proven outmoded. We need clean and green solutions to energy and employment moving forward. With coal being phased out by the Government in five years, it would have been a travesty to start mining at this point. It is a shame that previous decisions to halt it were not lived up to earlier to prevent such a waste of money and time.

“This is a great result for nature, the climate and communities and signals that this Government is taking climate breakdown measures very seriously.”