CAMPAIGNERS against plans for opencast mining at Varteg Hill are “overjoyed” after it was announced the application has been withdrawn.

Glamorgan Power Company and its agents confirmed to Torfaen council that they would be withdrawing their amended proposal, which was submitted in early February – 12 years after the first plan.

Since being submitted, Torfaen council have received more than 300 letters of objection during the consultation period and concerns were expressed at a public meeting on February 11 in Varteg Community Hall.

Joint chairman of the No campaign, Tony Kinsella, believes that it sends a strong message that companies cannot “get away with open cast mining on the promise of land reclamation” anymore.

Mr Kinsella, 75, said: “We are very pleased and surprised at the confirmation. It is tremendous news and something we have been working towards since the first application in 2004.

“The No campaign has worked and they have realised that when the whole community from Abersychan to Blaenavon says no, it means no.”

Mr Kinsella was on the board of governors at Ysgol Bryn Onnen when the first application was made and remembers children saying their parents would “pull them out of school” if open cast mining went ahead.

Mr Kinsella added: “We as the No campaign have done a tremendous amount of work with Lynne Neagle at the Welsh Assembly and the council to reach this decision.

“My fear was that if it went ahead it would open the gate to other proposals as it goes against the guidelines of the Minerals Technical Advice Note (MTAN).”

The MTAN guidelines states that no settlement can exist within 500m of a proposed open cast mining site yet Ysgol Bryn Onnen is only 70m from the proposed site.

The application submitted in February featured six amendments to the original plans including the health impact and the impact on developments of historical landscape.

Lynne Neagle, Torfaen’s AM, said: “As a longstanding campaigner against the development, I’m very pleased that the developers have decided to withdraw their application for opencast mining at Varteg.

“My concerns are well known – specifically the proximity to local residents and nearby Ysgol Bryn Onnen, as well as the impact of trucks carrying coal via local roads.

“It’s apparent that years of this application hanging over their heads has caused community divides, and that’s why I want to explore alternatives to opencast restoration at Varteg.”

Ms Neagle has raised the issue of mining at Varteg Hill at the Senedd, posing questions to First Minister Carwyn Jones over the MTAN and reviews of its guidelines.

Alan Styles of the No campaign added: “Its excellent news, it’s been a struggle to reach this decision. If it had gone ahead it would be to the detriment of the school and the health of pupils and residents.”

There is a feeling amongst residents that a key reason behind the application being withdrawn is that the price of coal is so low.

Dr John Cox of Abersychan said: “I’m very pleased, it’s long overdue. The application should never been made.

“The big thing is that since it was first made in 2004, the price of coal was a lot higher than today as other kinds of energy are used.”

Yvonne Walker of Pentwyn added: “I am glad, let’s hope this sends a message about other proposals in Torfaen.”

A Torfaen council spokesman said: “The agent has decided that they are withdrawing their application for a coal recovery scheme at Varteg Hill, and that no further action will be taken regarding this submission.”