03/28/2024

Wales News Online

Local & National News for Wales

Pre planning application submitted to extract 110,000 tonnes of coal from Llandybie opencast mine

MINE bosses have asked for more time to extract coal from an opencast site, on top of separate plans to extract a further 

Bryn Bach Coal wants to extend the time of its current operation at Glan Lash, near Llandybie, Carmarthernshire, from March 31 to June 30.

The company originally gained planning consent from the county council to remove 92,500 tonnes of coal from 2012, along with a requirement to progressively restore the nearby Tir-y-dail tip site, create a new cycle path and restore Glan Lash mine after work has ceased.

The original deadline for removing the coal was December 31, 2016, but it has been extended since then.

Bryn Bach Coal director Chris James said this would be the final time extension for the nine-hectare site, which currently employs nine people.

He added: “The Tir-y-dail tip has been there for about 100 years – we’ve covered it, re-seeded it, planted trees and put footpaths in.”

He said a cycle path has also been created.

Mr James said Bryn Bach Coal has also submitted a pre-application enquiry to Carmarthenshire Council to mine 110,000 tonnes of coal from a 10-hectare site to the north of the current Glash Lash operation.

A non-technical summary of the proposal said: “The proposed extension is a continuation of the current development and therefore the impacts on the environment and the amenity can be confidently assessed using data gathered during the operational phase of the current site.”

It said the 10-hectare extension site comprised four fields, hedgerows, woodland and grassland, but that only eight hectares would be excavated.

If given planning consent, three extra jobs would be created for the six-year operation and following eight-month restoration.

Mr James said only half the coal extracted at Glan Lash was burned for domestic heating, while the other half was used to colour clay for bricks and in filter beds to purify water.

Llandybie Community Council vice-chairman Anthony Davies said the mining operation had provided local jobs and had not led to any complaints from residents.

“The locality has not known they (Bryn Bach Coal) are there – they have been that good about it,” said Mr Davies.

Pic. Google Maps

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