Inquiry told health not part of coal fight

An expert witness for Telford & Wrekin Council has admitted that public health fears play no part in its fight against a proposed opencast coal mine close to The Wrekin.

But he denied he had got his figures wrong over noise, dust and the number of pensioners living nearby. Dr Malcolm Hockaday made the comments during clashes with planning barrister Timothy Corner QC.

Mr Corner is leading the case for UK Coal at a six-week public inquiry into its opencast plans.

UK Coal is seeking the go-ahead to extract 900,000 tonnes of coal and 250,000 tonnes of fireclay from Huntington Lane, between New Works and Little Wenlock.

It claims the coal, largely destined for Ironbridge Power Station, would help to meet a national need as well as creating 92 jobs and boosting the local economy.

Telford & Wrekin Council claims noise, dust, vibration and lorries would make residents' lives a misery, while the mine would threaten an area of outstanding natural beauty.

One of the big fears of residents is the potential risk to health from fine dust – a risk strongly refuted by UK Coal.

Retired GP Dr Dick van Steenis, an international clean air campaigner, has claimed the mine would cause a legacy of asthma among future generations of Telford children.

Dr Hockaday, a fellow of the Royal Town Planning Institute, spent yesterday being cross-examined by Mr Corner after presenting the council's case on Wednesday.

Mr Corner asked him whether the health fears had "any reasonable foundation".

Dr Hockaday replied: "I do not assert that on behalf of the council."

Mr Corner criticised Dr Hockaday for basing his noise and dust nuisance claims on stricter levels than official guidelines used in the rest of the country.

Dr Hockaday said local variations to the guidelines were acceptable, particularly in such a sensitive area.

The pair also clashed on Dr Hockaday's assertion that Huntington had a high number of pensioners and home-workers who would be more susceptible to disturbance.

Mr Corner disputed this. But Dr Hockaday insisted the area had twice as many pensioner households as the rest of Telford.

The inquiry continues.

By Peter Johnson