Could Cumbria coalmine be stopped despite government green light?

The former Marchon chemical works in Whitehaven, Cumbria, the site for West Cumbria Mining's application to open the UK's first new coal mine in decades. Photograph: Christopher Thomond/The Guardian

The government has given the green light to a new coalmine in Cumbria, the first in the UK for more than 30 years, but already moves have begun to challenge the decision before construction work can start.

Climate campaigners are examining the decision with a view to a legal challenge, based on the UK’s national and international legally binding climate commitments.