Proposals for new Rusha surface mine going on show
Thursday 11 September 2008
A series of exhibitions designed to bring local people up to date with proposals for a new surface mine are set to take place later this month.
The Banks Group, which has offices in Hamilton, is looking to extract around 1.5m tonnes of coal over a seven-year period from the Rusha site, which is on agricultural land around half a mile south-east of the village of Breich.
Banks submitted a planning application for the mine to West Lothian Council in November 2007, and is holding the three exhibitions in advance of a decision being made on the application, which is expected before the end of the year.
Two of the events which were scheduled for Wednesday 24 September, between 4pm and 7pm at Breich Community Hall, and between 6pm and 8pm at Longridge Primary School have been
cancelled.
The exhibition due to take place between 3pm and 7pm on Thursday 25 September, at the Hillcroft Hotel in Whitburn will be going ahead as planned.
The new dates are Longridge Primary School on Tuesday 7 October 17.00 - 20.30 hours and Breich Community Hall on Wednesday 8 October 15.00 - 20.00.
The proposed mine is located in an ‘Area of Search’ that has previously been identified by the Council for developments of this type, and the coal taken from it would be suitable for use in local power stations.
The planning application proposes that the 154-hectare site would utilise award-winning ‘world first’ noise reduction technologies developed by Banks’ own engineers.
The scheme would create around 60 jobs, as well as making a significant indirect contribution to the local economy, and on completion of coaling, the site would be fully restored to its present status, which is a combination of agriculture and commercial forestry.
If the application is successful, a Community Benefits Fund would also be established by Banks to provide funding for local community projects, groups and organisations.
These exhibitions are the latest part of the community consultation process that Banks has held around its plans, which have included a number of previous public exhibitions and several meetings with the local Community Council.
Mark Dowdall, environment and community director at The Banks Group, says: “We are committed to keep the local community as fully informed as possible about our proposals for a scheme which we believe will benefit the area in many different ways.
“We have extensive experience of successfully running surface mine operations in Scotland, and are keen to discuss any questions people might have about our plans in West Lothian in advance of a decision on the Rusha application being made.”
Anyone unable to attend the exhibitions, but requiring further information about the proposed Rusha surface mine should contact community engagement coordinator Siobhan Samson on 01698 477410 or via rusha@hjbanks.com Last updated: Wednesday 01 October 2008, 16:33 PM
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