CAMPAIGNERS against opencast mining are bracing themselves for another battle following plans by Britain's biggest private mining group to develop the Lomax site.

RJB Mining claims 75 jobs will be created and a huge man-made tip will be be reclaimed and landscaped if the plans, submitted to Wigan, Bolton, Salford Councils, are given the go-ahead.

The Doncaster-based company announced plans to develop the 300 hectare site in January after it was bought from British Coal. It provoked stiff opposition.

RJB's scheme centres on Cutacre tip - the product of waste from three pits - on the Tyldesley and Little Hulton boundary. Approval is being sought to recover about 850,000 tonnes of coal and mine a further 900,000 tonnes from seams close to the surface.

A previous scheme for the area by British Coal was blocked by Environment Secretary John Gummer because of the discovery there of the protected Great Crested Newt.

But RJB say their scaled down version of the scheme would provide long term benefits for local residents and wildlife, with the site expected to be restored to woodland and recreational use within four years.

Development Director, John Gough said: "We have taken account of local opinion about previous plans and we have now submitted scaled down proposals which will enable the cost of restoring a large are of industrial dereliction to be met by the recovery of a relatively small amount of coal over a much shorter period and at no expense to the public purse.

"The mining scheme complies with national and local planning policies, and the progressive restoration would include over 100 hectares of woodland, wetland and conservation areas.

"The restored site will create a viable, long term and sustainable landscape, consistent with the aims of the Red Rose Community Forest initiative providing long term benefits for residents and wildlife."

A 200 metre buffer will separate residential areas from the mining operations and RJB has proposed that the existing wildlife conservation area will be improved and enlarged and another created.

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