PLANS which would allow mining to continue at a Bacup colliery beyond 2004 look set to be rejected by councillors.

Lancashire County Council's Development Control Committee will receive a report next Wednesday urging refusal of planning permission for a type of open cast mining to excavate 140,000 tonnes of coal and 250,000 tonnes of clay from Thieveley Collier, Heald Moor, Bacup.

Planning permission already exists for parts of the colliery where coal has been extracted, although these permissions are due to run out by 2004.

The new application would create 22 jobs and last until 2005.

But a series of objections from various agencies is set to lead to county councillors throwing the plans out.

Burnley Council is concerned about damage to the environment.

Burnley Wildlife Advisory Group have said say that the development would have a detrimental effect on the bird population and doubt that vegetation could be restored once mining is complete.

Ninety nine letters of objection have been received by residents in the area, along with a 827-signature petition.