West Cumbria Mining Withdraws Controversial Coal Mine Application

West Cumbria Mining has withdrawn its planning application for a controversial coal mine in Whitehaven following a High Court ruling that upheld legal challenges from environmental groups Friends of the Earth and South Lakes Action on Climate Change. The challenges argued that the mine's approval contradicted the UK's climate commitments, particularly after the court ruled that previous government approvals were unlawful under the Climate Change Act. Tony Bosworth, a climate campaigner, expressed satisfaction over the decision, emphasizing the need to focus on creating green jobs in the region instead. The project had originally been supported by some local leaders who argued it would boost the local economy and reduce reliance on imported coal, but environmentalists maintained it was unnecessary and harmful. The Ministry of Housing confirmed the withdrawal, which marks the end of a lengthy planning saga for the proposed mine.