Local residents invited to join Ferneybeds design panel

Banks Mining drawing together a community design panel for proposed new surface mine

PEOPLE living in the communities surrounding a proposed new surface mine development in south-east Northumberland are being offered the opportunity to play an active part in the site’s design.

Regional firm Banks Mining are currently developing proposals for the Ferneybeds site, which would be located to the south of the village of Widdrington Station, approximately eight miles north west of Ashington.

As part of the extensive community consultation process being carried out around the plans, Banks are looking to draw together a community design panel made up of local residents to gather the widest possible range of views about the design of the scheme and to also discuss the environmental, economic and social benefits that could be delivered if the scheme is approved.

A series of local meetings, chaired by an independent facilitator, will be organized to allow participants to share their views on aspects of the scheme, and to help keep the community informed of the detail of the final proposal that Banks submit for planning approval.

Initial investigations suggest that the Ferneybeds site contains an estimated 750,000 tonnes of coal, and if the site goes ahead, it would support around 40 jobs, as well as supporting many others in local supply chain businesses.

An initial scoping has been submitted to Northumberland County Council in advance of a full planning application later this year.

Banks’ environment and community director Mark Dowdall said: ‘We want any local people with an interest to be part of the Ferneybeds community design panel, so we can ensure that we take local views into account to come up with the best possible project design for all concerned, and all ideas will get an equal hearing during the discussions that take place.’