THE Blaenavon community remains defiant in its opposition to open cast mining in Varteg and has pleaded once again for the local authority to 'stick to its guns', following the news that a fresh application has been lodged with the council.

The application is now in the consultation period and Torfaen council will be looking at determination in the New Year.

Glamorgan Power’s proposals are the same scheme that was dismissed by the Minister for Environment and Sustainable Development in November 2013 and by Torfaen council in 2011.

The plan is for the removal of the tips and extraction of 256,000 tonnes of underlying coal in an operation that will last 44 months followed by a period of managed aftercare.

But campaigners say they remain strongly against the plans.

Lynda Clarkson, of the Varteg Hill Land Reclamation Liaison Group, called it a “real concern” and also questioned the consultation timescale.

She has asked why the time for registering an interest is so short.

“The old application was hanging over the community for 10 years. There seems to be some effort to drive this one forward ‘asap’,” Ms Clarkson said.

She said she had been told by planning officers that the statutory time scale of 21 days had been observed.

She added: “As this is in effect a new planning application, residents feel that due process should be followed, full community consultation and engagement is undertaken, new Environmental Impact Assessments prepared and due regard given to the importance of this proposal.”

Carole Jacob, of Torfaen Friends of the Earth, added the 500-metre buffer zone between opencast mines and dwellings existed for public protection.

The Mayor of Blaenavon, Sylvia Lewis, said town councillors were “disappointed” and that Blaenavon was “too small” to cope with the 125 lorry loads generated from the site each week.

The chairman of the governors, Boydd Hackley-Green, of Ysgol Bryn Onnen, which is only 120 metres from the proposed mine, said the school remains against the plans on the grounds of coal dust generated from the site and the potential impact on children’s health.

An environmental statement has also been submitted by the applicant which examines a number of alternative options for the site.

A small group of residents are attempting to organise a public meeting before December 16, with another set to take place early next year.

A Torfaen council spokesman said: “The neighbour notification letters gives the date of December 16 for the submission of comments, which covers the minimum statutory period (councils must give 21 days for consultation).

“In practice, the council has always taken and considered consultation replies right up to the date of determination, as yet there is no date programmed for this application to go to committee. There will be no exception in respect of the Varteg application.”

Individuals who spoke publicly on the issue previously have been invited via letter to register their objection by December 16.

Comments can be from members of the public in writing to Planning Department, Ty Blaen Torfaen, Panteg Way, New Inn , Pontypool, Torfaen, NP4 0LS- quoting Ref. No. 14/P/00637 or by e-mailing planning@torfaen,gov.uk (giving house postal address).

The full details of the application can be viewed at www.planapps.torfaen.gov.uk/VARTEG.