Following the good news on Friday 18th December, Defend Dewley Hill has put together a letter of thanks to all its supporters.
"It is with great relief we received the news on Friday that Newcastle City Council have upheld their promise of encouraging a cleaner, greener, more environmentally stable society for those of us living here and beyond. It is a victory not only for Defend Dewley Hill but for all of those who supported and campaigned constructively for change. In challenging times it's sometimes hard for your voice to be heard, but there is strength in people power to change things for the better. We set out to encourage the council to think local but act global and hopefully our efforts to Defend Dewley Hill will now see opencast, a thing of the past.
We wanted to thank you from the bottom of our hearts for being invested and playing your part in Friday’s victory. You were one of thousands who took the time to either write a letter of objection, sign a petition, write to your councillor to oppose Banks plans or generously donated to our Crowdfunder. Some people took all of these actions. We recognise that this takes time and consideration and that in doing so, you’ve really been a massive support to us and helped to change the course of coal and climate.
Your action has ensured that our fields stay green and our lungs remain clean.
Jude from Defend Dewley Hill told the planning committee, "reject this application which would destroy our green belt space and bring no local, regional or national benefit. We want to continue to enjoy birdsong not blasting, the tranquillity of nature not the vibration and thunderous noise of machinery and spring lambs being born in our fields not vast chasms of choking dust being borne into the air we breathe."
The application was rejected due to contraventions of the local plans and paragraph 211a of the National Planning Policy Framework. See the Coal Action Network for a fuller account https://www.coalaction.org.uk/2020/12/18/dewley-hill-saved-from-opencast/
There is a right to appeal but Banks Group currently has no coal mines extracting coal. There are no other applications to start new opencast coal mines in the UK, although West Cumbria Mining is pursuing an underground coking coal mine (used in the steel industry) off Cumbria, which is waiting a ministerial decision.
We have worked closely with Coal Action Network who have supported three campaigns this year which were successful in stopping Banks Group's opencast coal extraction plans. Since 2008 they have worked against new opencast mines and infrastructure; and stand in solidarity with communities across the world impacted by the UK's coal industry. We could not have done this without their guidance and support. If you want to be kept informed of other campaigns fighting for justice for those affected by the UK coal industry? Please join the Coal Action Network newsletter email list. With your help they will be successful in their new campaign to be launched early in the new year, with plenty of opportunity for you to take action online and when time allows, in person.
Finally, Defend Dewley Hill have won this with support from so many, and you've been part of that. And whatever happens in the weeks and months ahead, we'll all be there to reconvene if necessary, but for now, enjoy this time of feeling warm about our win.
We did it and it's thanks to you all
2020 has undoubtedly been a challenging year but it’s ended positively for the climate and for all those who believe in better things.
#defenddewleyhillYou just did!
Thank you. Thank you all of you.
With best wishes for a safe Christmas
Jos Forester-Melville
Defend Dewley Hill"