UK's largest open coal mine has been accused of operating without planning permission. Concerns have been raised by campaigners who claim that mining has continued at Ffos y Fran in Merthyr Tydfil despite planning permission running out in September last year.
It comes as proposals to continue mining at Ffos y Fran until March 2024 have been recommended for refusal by Merthyr council planning officers. An application to extend the life of the existing mine due to go before the council’s planning committee on April 26 seeks to change a previous condition that all coal extraction should stop no later than September 6, 2022.
The application is looking to allow for an extension to the lifespan of the mineral extraction and restoration with coal extraction to stop by March 31, 2024 and final restoration to be completed by June 30, 2026. This had originally been due to happen by December 31, 2024.
