CONTROVERSIAL plans to open a new coal mine on moorland above Burnley and Bacup have not gone away, an environment campaigner has warned.

Former Burnley councillor Tony Harrison says that although a decision on the scheme to open a 67-acre trench mine on Heald Moor had been put on hold for several months while further investigations were carried out, it will return for a decision by Lancashire county councillors next week.

Coun Harrison, who last year led a well-supported public meeting against the proposal by Wakefield company Corbex to remove 500,000 tons of coal and clay from the moor, today called for people to voice their concerns before next Wednesday's meeting of the planning committee.

Last year objectors including the Civic Trust, Cliviger Parish Council, local residents and Burnley MP Peter Pike, listed a dozen reasons for the mine plan to be rejected by county council bosses.

They included fears that work will pollute spring water supplies to homes, contaminate rivers, harm wildlife, damage the landscape, cause dust and noise pollution and leave a permanent scar on the landscape.

A packed public meeting in Todmorden town hall saw several hundred residents voice their own fears, as Mr Pike told them he totally opposed the proposal.

Today Mr Harrison said: "One of the fears expressed a the meeting was the previous workings had resulted in terrible floods in the valley because of the altitude and changeable nature of the water courses in the area."

"I hope councillors take these fears into account, especially after the recent flooding.

"If people care about protecting the environment, they should, let county councillors know before it is too late."