DESPITE the Prime Minister's recent statements that coal mining is a thing of the past, the Mayor of Copeland remains confident that the Woodhouse Colliery will open in the future.

West Cumbria Mining's coking coal mine is in doubt following a controversial public inquiry and persistent criticism that the development is counterproductive to the UK Government's Net Zero Carbon ambitions.

The mine is seen by supporters as a potential major employer for the area which would mean coal is sourced in Britain for the production of British steel, rather than shipped-in from abroad.

But Friends of the Earth and South Lakes Action on Climate Change say that it would be harmful to the environment, undermining the nation's carbon-free ambitions.

In the latest blow to the mine, which is planned for the former Marchon site in Whitehaven, Prime Minister Boris Johnson has said the UK Government is not looking to open new coal mines or reopen those that have been mothballed.

Prime Minister Boris Johnson was quizzed by young people at a climate change press conference on Monday.

And when asked if he would still support new coal mines in the UK, he said: "We don't want to support new coal mines but what we want to do is continue our progress towards a zero carbon future, that's our approach."

Mayor of Copeland Mike Starkie, an ardent supporter of the mine, refused to be drawn on the PM's comments, he believes that they are innocuous when it comes to the West Cumbria Mining development.

He said: "I think when the PM is talking about coal mines, he's referring to thermal coal and coal for electricity."

The development planned by West Cumbria Mining for Whitehaven would unearth metallurgical coking coal, used in the production of steel.

Mr Starkie said that metallurgical coal will be key in the development of clean energy production projects like new nuclear.

The Planning Inspectorate's public inquiry into the plans which saw evidence for and against the mine, concluded earlier this month. Planning inspector Stephen Normington will now give his recommendation to the new Secretary of State for Levelling Up, Michael Gove.

The final decision on whether or not to give plans the go ahead will then be made by Mr Gove.

Mr Starkie said: "I can't see how the planning inspector would come out with any other outcome than recommending the mine should go ahead."

The Government's reluctance to open new mines is not a concern to the mayor: "If the Government wanted to stop the mine they could stop it right now, there's no need to go to the planning inspectorate."

A spokesperson for Number 10 told the press that the Prime Minister was talking "in broader terms about our stated aim to phase out the use of coal in the long term."