The coking coal mine in West Cumbria was approved under the last government in 2022 by Michael Gove - but the Labour government said it won't defend the plans when a legal challenge is heard in the High Court next week.
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It follows a ruling last month when the Supreme Court quashed another fossil fuel project - an oilfield at Horse Hill in Surrey - on the same grounds.
On Thursday, the rebranded Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government, now run by Deputy Prime Minister Angela Rayner, confirmed it was dropping its defence of the Whitehaven Coal Mine, in the wake of the ruling over Horse Hill.
Friends of the Earth climate co-ordinator, Jamie Peters, said: "We’re delighted the government agrees that planning permission for this destructive, polluting and unnecessary coal mine was unlawfully granted and that it should be quashed.
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Mr Peters added: “The new government must now ensure that areas like West Cumbria get the jobs and investment they urgently need so that people living there can reap the benefits of building a clean, green and affordable future.”
Since Mr Gove approved Whitehaven in 2022, Tata confirmed plans to close the Port Talbot steelworks, so the intended market for the coking coal became less certain.
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It follows a ruling last month when the Supreme Court quashed another fossil fuel project - an oilfield at Horse Hill in Surrey - on the same grounds.
On Thursday, the rebranded Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government, now run by Deputy Prime Minister Angela Rayner, confirmed it was dropping its defence of the Whitehaven Coal Mine, in the wake of the ruling over Horse Hill.
Friends of the Earth climate co-ordinator, Jamie Peters, said: "We’re delighted the government agrees that planning permission for this destructive, polluting and unnecessary coal mine was unlawfully granted and that it should be quashed.
Read more from Sky News:Labour sets out priorities on energy and climateFibreglass from boats found in food chainLas Vegas hits all-time temperature record
Mr Peters added: “The new government must now ensure that areas like West Cumbria get the jobs and investment they urgently need so that people living there can reap the benefits of building a clean, green and affordable future.”
Since Mr Gove approved Whitehaven in 2022, Tata confirmed plans to close the Port Talbot steelworks, so the intended market for the coking coal became less certain.
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