A campaigner whose legal challenge could have major implications for the planned new coal mine near Whitehaven is speaking at an event in the area. 

Sarah Finch will appear at a Speakers Corner event at the site of the planned coal mine on Saturday, September 9.

Ms Finch is waiting for a decision from the Supreme Court over her legal challenge against Surrey County Council’s decision to allow planning permission for oil extraction at Horse Hill, near Gatwick airport, without considering the full climate impact of the scheme.

Sarah, on behalf of the Weald Action Group, is challenging the decision because the council only considered the climate impacts caused by the process of getting the fossil fuel from the ground - and not the emissions that are created when the oil is inevitably burnt, when the vast majority of the emissions are produced. A decision is expected in the coming weeks.

Sarah Finch, of the Weald Action Group, said: “I'm excited about going to Whitehaven to show solidarity with campaigners against the UK’s first deep coal mine for 30 years.
 “The fight against the mine is inextricably linked with the campaign against oil production at Horse Hill. Both developments were allowed with no consideration of the full climate impacts.

"I hope that the Supreme Court judgement on my appeal will confirm that no fossil fuel production – coal, oil or gas – should be allowed without consideration of its full climate impact.”

If successful, Sarah Finch’s legal challenge could have major implications for other fossil fuel developments, including the Whitehaven coal mine, where the issue of burning the extracted fossil fuel – in this instance the coal – was similarly not fully considered when permission was granted.

Ruth Balogh, of West Cumbria Friends of the Earth, said: "Her landmark legal challenge could have major implications for new fossil fuel developments – including the proposed mine at Whitehaven."

Trudy Harrison, Copeland MP, said previously: “I have consistently supported the case for opening Woodhouse Colliery and I look forward to work starting on the site.”