Whittonstall Open Cast Mine comes up before the Northumberland County Council on Tuesday March 5th. Anyone who came to the public meeting in the snow at Snods Edge will know the huge strength of opposition to this plan.
Shortly thereafter in mid March Ovingham's green belt application for 20 houses is to be considered by the westet area partnership.
Meanwhile the Birney Hill application, in Ponteland's green belt, has already gone in with a future date to be determined.
My views on these applications, how we are trying to help the opponents, and the history of the engagement with the community are set out in detail on the blog in past entries.
If you have any doubt about the impact of the Whittonstall decision and the strength of local opposition look at this recent ITV piece: http://www.itv.com/news/tyne-tees/2013-02-15/opponents-say-opencast-mine-would-scar-northumberland-landscape/
