Your comments

Read below the comments people have posted on the site about the opencast proposal.

V.W. , NE11 (Skons Park opencast petition: Feb. 1st, 2:49 pm)

I strongly object to the plans of using the A692 road for heavy lorries. Not only will this add to the already busy traffic congestion, but most importantly add unecessary danger for residents.

C.M. , NE16 (Skons Park opencast petition: Feb. 1st, 2:10 pm)

We had enough problems 25-30 years ago with a similar situation, the traffic on Fellside Road was awful, with the increase in normal traffic added to this we can't imagine what it would be like.

A.G. , NE16 (Skons Park opencast petition: Jan. 31st, 1:28 pm)

I am very concerned about the damage the opencast site would cause to what is a beautiful site.

Also the roads in this area are all getting increasingly busy so the addition of heavy lorries would be a major concern for safety.

S.M. , NE16 (Skons Park opencast petition: Jan. 30th, 9:18 am)

I am concerned about the impact the open cast site will have on the local environment, local tourism, the extra traffic this will produce and it would be prudent to leave the coal untill it's really needed.

J.H. , NE16 (Skons Park opencast petition: Jan. 29th, 8:13 am)

I strongly oppose these proposals, and had already sent a written objection regarding the initial application.

J.L. , NE11 (Skons Park opencast petition: Jan. 28th, 3:27 pm)

No to open cast mining.

D.L. , NE11 (Skons Park opencast petition: Jan. 28th, 3:26 pm)

I am against open cast mining in my local area.

J.L. , NE11 (Skons Park opencast petition: Jan. 28th, 3:25 pm)

I am definitely against the proposed open cast appeal

G.P. , NE16 (Skons Park opencast petition: Jan. 27th, 7:04 pm)

Gateshead Council have made the correct decision in regecting this application. The Government should follow this decision. To do otherwise would be diabolical, due to the 100's of people's quiet enjoyment of their lives that would be affected in addition to the blight on the counryside.

P.Y. (Skons Park opencast petition: Jan. 27th, 6:37 pm)

Do not let this happen to our beautiful National Trust area

L.Y. (Skons Park opencast petition: Jan. 27th, 6:36 pm)

This should never be allowed to happen in such an area of rural beauty

M.C. , NE16 (Skons Park opencast petition: Jan. 27th, 4:51 pm)

We have lived in Whickham for over 20 years and it is important that we protect the area for the future generations who wish to raise a family in the area. The increased heavy traffic, pollution will cause untold environmental damage and will scar this beautiful area. How can we celebrate successful nature campaigns like the reintroduction of red kites to the area at the same time as allowing such damage to the environment from large scale open cast operations.

M.M. , NE16 (Skons Park opencast petition: Jan. 27th, 2:21 pm)

Please register my objection to this project

E.M. , NE16 (Skons Park opencast petition: Jan. 27th, 2:20 pm)

I totally oppose the extraction of the coal etc, from Skons park

P.B. (Skons Park opencast petition: Jan. 25th, 5:48 pm)

I agree with every point made. It's just a shame that this matter keeps rearing its very ugly head!I hope that a final decision will be made to the benefit of the local electorate.

V.M. , NE21 (Skons Park opencast petition: Jan. 25th, 3:55 am)

I AGREE WITH ALL OF THE ABOVE CONCERNS

D.B. (Skons Park opencast petition: Jan. 24th, 9:34 pm)

look to other energy sources

D.B. (Skons Park opencast petition: Jan. 24th, 9:32 pm)

don't want the countryside spoiled by this eyesore

M.H. , NE39 (Skons Park opencast petition: Jan. 24th, 2:45 pm)

It is inconceivable that this development should be allowed to go ahead considering its impact on the local environment (where millions of pounds has been spent on improvements) and further afield.

D.N. , NE21 (Skons Park opencast petition: Jan. 24th, 10:38 am)

It would be too costly to the environment and would probably take far longer than they think to get back to the way it is now. In fact, it would probably never be the same again!

R.T. , NE16 (Skons Park opencast petition: Jan. 24th, 10:24 am)

Our family is very woried about the health of the residents of Burnopfield (as well as other communities in the area), as a result of opencast works that may be granted by those many miles from the threatened location. The noise, air and visual pollution that would result from such work are immense. We live in Burnopfield, on the opposite side of the valley to the proposed site and we directly overlook where the work would take place. Due to the topography of the area, there is no possible means of masking the site in order to limit the spread of harmful pollution to the surrounding area. The congestion that would be brought to the minor 'Fellside Road'and then to the A692 would be horrendous, as would the mess from the lorries involved. We wrote a letter and included photographs in our original objection to the scheme,(which we sent to Gateshead Council). We would be more than willing to duplicate these to whom ever it may concern should it prove helpful.

M.P. , NE16 (Skons Park opencast petition: Jan. 23rd, 11:59 pm)

No opencast mining at Skons Park!

C.U. (Skons Park opencast petition: Jan. 23rd, 2:16 pm)

Will scar one of the most picturesque valleys in the Country

D.H. (Skons Park opencast petition: Jan. 23rd, 12:25 pm)

too close to everything!! roads don't cope as they are now!!

B.T. , NE16 (Skons Park opencast petition: Jan. 23rd, 10:09 am)

Apart from the traffice problem coming out o Burnopfield, it will spoil the enviroment and endanger the wild life.

I would like a healthy atmosphere for my grandchildren to grow up in.

Bur my main objective is the traffic flow, it is bad enough now at 8am never mind with heavy haulage wagons going in and out.

A.W. , NE16 (Skons Park opencast petition: Jan. 22nd, 12:49 pm)

Don't spoil a beautiful area! The Red Kites are amazing, this opencast quarry would be certain to sca them off.

T.G. , NE16 (Skons Park opencast petition: Jan. 22nd, 10:29 am)

I DO NOT WANT THE WILD LIFE AND COUNTRY SIDE DAMAGED BY THIS OPEN CAST MINE

M.T. (Skons Park opencast petition: Jan. 22nd, 10:21 am)

If it goes ahead the unique unique environment of the DERWENT VALLEY would be destroyd for ever.

C.C. (Skons Park opencast petition: Jan. 22nd, 9:51 am)

this would have a major impact on fellside road, which is already a dangerous road and claimed two lives in the past month, never mind the dust/mud and increased traffic pollution. seek renewable energy sources, protect the environment especially now as we have red kites nesting in the area.

D.Q. (Skons Park opencast petition: Jan. 21st, 7:51 pm)

I WISH TO EXPRESS MY CONCERNS OVER THIS PROPOSAL PARTICULARLY THE DETRIMENTAL EFFECT IT WILL HAVE ON BURNOPFIELD ESPECIALLY THE HEALTH AND SAFETY OF THE YOUNG CHILDREN DUE TO MY ROLE AS THE NURSERY NURSE AT THE LOCAL SCHOOL

R.Q. , NE16 (Skons Park opencast petition: Jan. 21st, 7:47 pm)

I AM COMPLETED AGAINST THE PROPOSAL TO HAVE AN OPENCAST IN THIS AREA OF NATURAL BEAUTY AND SO CLOSE TO BURNOPFIELD AND THE BEAUTIFUL GIBSIDE ESTATE

I.M. , NE16 (Skons Park opencast petition: Jan. 21st, 5:46 pm)

This "development" must not be allowed to happen.

W.M. , NE16 (Skons Park opencast petition: Jan. 21st, 5:43 pm)

I strongly object to the various types of pollution that such an industry could bring to our village and wider area. This is a beautiful and peaceful environment. Let us keep it that way.

A.M. (Skons Park opencast petition: Jan. 21st, 4:56 pm)

I support all the attempts being made to prevent this totally unacceptable project

K.N. , NE16 (Skons Park opencast petition: Jan. 21st, 4:48 pm)

I am concerned about air quality as i am asthmatic. I don;t believe thatthe road network would support extra traffic and i cannnot believe that thisis being considered so close to an are of local importance and outstanding beauty - Gibside. Gibside has, i believe, 3 SSSIs which deserve protection. Please listen to the local peoples opinions rather than lining thepockets of a few greedy business men.

G.T. , NE16 (Skons Park opencast petition: Jan. 21st, 4:45 pm)

I am a local resident who has some experience of the blight of open casting as I have done preliminary archaeology work at Stobswood and Shotton. I know first hand the horrendous noise and massive scale of the proposed operations and I thoroughly object to the proposed scheme. This type of cynical exploitation of dwindling natural resources for the benefit of a very few is unjustifiable, and to repeatedly target this area of the north east is inexcusable and in my opinion, yet more evidence of the way the north is regarded by our southern government. Ressurrecting a blighted and ancient industry is not an effective way to encourage progress and development in this needy area. The land here is beautiful and rich in resources, but that is all the more reason to fight to protect it. This local area to the proposal is particularly beautiful, and a mine of any sort would desecrate the important and widely used public woodlands and open areas which surround the development area. The mine would create few jobs and would put an unacceptable burden on the traffic infrastructure of the local area which is already oversubscribed and congested in every direction. Additional slow moving lorries and the accompanying pollution would be a great harm to the area and I challenge any developer to say such a mine would bring anything but gloom and misery to the local area and residents. I and everyone I know in the area are utterly in opposition and we will fight these relentless and cynical proposals whenever they appear

I.S. (Skons Park opencast petition: Jan. 21st, 10:09 am)

Simply no justification to overrule the original decision. We should be preserving the environment not putting it at greater risk.

M.H. , NE39 (Skons Park opencast petition: Jan. 20th, 4:07 pm)

YOU HAVE MISSED A LETTER OF OF THE SECOND LAST SENTENCE.

A.S. , NE16 (Skons Park opencast petition: Jan. 20th, 4:03 pm)

I will sign as many petitions as necessary to stop this opencast.

A.B. , NE16 (Skons Park opencast petition: Jan. 19th, 11:14 am)

How many more appeals are allowed after applications have been turned down? Are the strings of someone in high places being pulled? Or is govt. raising the ugly head of party politics - again?

Good luck with your campaign. Hope I'm not too late.(I suffered open-cast at Winlaton in the late '50s (+ early '60s) and that was bad enough, but that's another story.)

I.S. , NE16 (Skons Park opencast petition: Jan. 18th, 12:51 pm)

If this scheme is approved the area will be blighted for the next 20 years as the developer seeks to extend future mining operations in adjacent areas. eg.Stobshill near Morpeth

N.C. , NE16 (Skons Park opencast petition: Jan. 16th, 11:26 am)

The opencast would also have a detrimental effect on wildlife within the Derwent Valley. It doesn't really fit in with wildlife projects, such as reintroducing Red Kites to the area !!!

K.D. , NE16 (Skons Park opencast petition: Jan. 15th, 9:51 am)

No to Opencast mine!

M.G. , NE39 (Skons Park opencast petition: Jan. 13th, 4:37 pm)

I am against the opcast mining as it will greatly affect our quality of life as explained above.

B.S. , NE21 (Skons Park opencast petition: Jan. 11th, 5:08 pm)

I totally oppose the idea of opencast work in the Skon Park area. The prospect of profit for the company and it shareholders must not be allowed to over-ride the wishes of the people in this issue.

C.J. (Skons Park opencast petition: Jan. 10th, 7:13 pm)

it is a ridiculous proposal which will be putting more traffic on a already very dangerous road. If this plan goes ahead I can see a seious accident occuring

M.D. , NE16 (Skons Park opencast petition: Jan. 10th, 6:41 pm)

Say NO to opencast mining in our area

P.M. , NE11 (Skons Park opencast petition: Jan. 10th, 5:55 pm)

Gatehead Council's unanimous decision to refuse planning permission was arrived at after a long period of careful consideration.
When forming a decision on such a matter, the interests of residents should be paramount.
The decision should stand.

C.W. , NE11 (Skons Park opencast petition: Jan. 9th, 10:13 pm)

I find the idea of all those lorries thundering down from Sunniside via Lobley Hill quite frightening. It is a dangerous road at the best of times!

G.W. , NE11 (Skons Park opencast petition: Jan. 9th, 9:40 pm)

Allowing this development would be a serious mistake for every imaginable reason.

J.A. (Skons Park opencast petition: Jan. 9th, 7:03 pm)

The proposed opencast development will permanently spoil a beautiful area and will adversely affect local residents with increased traffic and pollution

R.H. , NE39 (Skons Park opencast petition: Jan. 9th, 6:21 pm)

We have been told that coal is no longer needed. If that is incorrect why not reopen the many deep pits which have been closed?

H.B. (Skons Park opencast petition: Jan. 9th, 4:43 pm)

THIS WOULD BE ANOTHER EXAMPLE OF ALLOWING OVER USE OF THE ALREADY INADEQUATE ROAD SYSTEM IN THIS AREA - BUT NO CONSIDERATION IN PROVIDING US WITH UPGRADED ROADS I.E. DUALLING THE A1 TO SCOTLAND

N.B. , NE11 (Skons Park opencast petition: Jan. 9th, 4:10 pm)

I fully support your campaign against

R.W. , NE16 (Skons Park opencast petition: Jan. 9th, 3:22 pm)

I totally agree with your petition against this blight on the landscape and potential polution of the atmosphere.

S.G. , NE39 (Skons Park opencast petition: Jan. 8th, 11:41 pm)

Gateshead Council has spent a considerable amount of money on the development of the Derwent Valley, and recently on the release of the beautiful Red Kites. Please do not allow this development which may harm not only the Red Kite project but change the wonderful wildlife habitat of the valley.

J.A. (Skons Park opencast petition: Jan. 8th, 11:07 pm)

Some places are just not meant to be left alone, this is one.

P.D. (Skons Park opencast petition: Jan. 8th, 10:50 pm)

We are both strongly opposed to the planned opencast at Skons Park & would urge the Secretary of State to refuse the application.

H.R. , DH9 (Skons Park opencast petition: Jan. 8th, 8:48 pm)

Opencast should only be used as a last resort and only in small sites where there is an overwhelming case for ultimate improvement of that site.

D.S. , NE11 (Skons Park opencast petition: Jan. 8th, 5:44 pm)

Please dont let this happen, traffic is horrendous to start with, we dont need more from all the lorries this would cause

D.S. , NE16 (Skons Park opencast petition: Jan. 8th, 2:24 pm)

NO! No! NO!

C.G. , NE16 (Skons Park opencast petition: Jan. 8th, 11:39 am)

The effect of the environment and local amenities would be disaterous. The lorrys would also prove very dangerous travelling through an area with schools and which is highly populated with already major congestions problems. Additionally many drivers may divert and come through Whickham along Fellside Road to avoid the route of the lorries - fellside road is already hugely burdened with traffic and is again a highly populated area with two schools located along it.

D.D. (Skons Park opencast petition: Jan. 8th, 11:32 am)

i would like to register my objection to the above mentioned

C.C. , NE39 (Skons Park opencast petition: Jan. 8th, 11:04 am)

We owe it to future generations, not to irreversibly destroy a large area of this beautiful valley.

R.N. , NE39 (Skons Park opencast petition: Jan. 8th, 9:18 am)

I feel very strongly that this would cause untold damage to the environment as well as adding to the traffic problems experienced.

S.T. , NE16 (Skons Park opencast petition: Jan. 8th, 9:14 am)

The traffic congestion in the Whickham / Sunniside area is already dangerous, Whickham bank is impossible to get on to from North View at peak times to begin with, It is incredibly dangerous fro pedestrian and bus users to begin with, this problem I am sure is not confined to my street alone and others must have noticed the risks to children and older people. Any increase in traffic in this area would be detrimential to health.
Pollution from increased traffic could have affects for childrens health at local schools, the smell of the fumes at Front St at top of whickham bank is so strong some days, I would be surprised if it does not contribute to childhood asthma etc. There is another four schools in the area, surely this alone should be reason to stop the development.

H.M. , NE16 (Skons Park opencast petition: Jan. 8th, 8:41 am)

The current road systems do not support the increase in volume of traffic and the heaviness of the traffic passing through small villages. In addition this causes a serious safety concern to all pedestrians and persons trying to cross roads due to volume speed and pollution of our villages.

J.T. (Skons Park opencast petition: Jan. 8th, 8:36 am)

Please add my support to your campaign

K.T. , NE16 (Skons Park opencast petition: Jan. 8th, 8:35 am)

I object to this opencast as it will devistate a beautiful area of countriside and have a huge effect upon the residents of Burnopfield, Whickham, Swalwell and all surrounding areas.

S.F. , NE21 (Skons Park opencast petition: Jan. 7th, 8:38 pm)

NO to opencast mining!

E.F. , NE21 (Skons Park opencast petition: Jan. 7th, 8:37 pm)

NO to opencast mining, I believe it's not needed nowdays, what about wind energy instead?

B.O. (Skons Park opencast petition: Jan. 7th, 8:22 pm)

ON TO OPENCAST MINING

R.R. , NE16 (Skons Park opencast petition: Jan. 7th, 7:25 pm)

I FULLY support this petition.

J.M. , NE16 (Skons Park opencast petition: Jan. 7th, 6:06 pm)

Coal mining is part of the history of this area. Lets keep it that way.

J.A. (Skons Park opencast petition: Jan. 7th, 5:43 pm)

as a traveller on the A692 I do not want all the extra volume of traffic. I also do my best to recycle and help the planets resourses in every way possible, therefore I feel this would be a backward step

G.C. , NE39 (Skons Park opencast petition: Jan. 7th, 2:53 pm)

IN AN AREA OF NATURAL BEAUTY THIS WHOLE IDEA IS APPALLING AND I HOPE COMMON SENSE PREVAILS

I.R. , NE16 (Skons Park opencast petition: Jan. 7th, 1:12 pm)

Keep up the good work

J.W. (Skons Park opencast petition: Jan. 7th, 12:49 pm)

HOW MANY TIMES HAVE WE TO REJECT THIS CONCEPT.IT IS STEPPING BACK 50 YEARS.THE WHOLE PROCESS IS ARTIFICIAL AND A WASTE OF TIME AND MONEY WHEN THE GOVERNMENT ARE CLEARLY DETERMINED TO IGNORE LOCAL OPINION AND PROCEED IN ANY CASE.

P.K. (Skons Park opencast petition: Jan. 7th, 12:24 pm)

Totally against this planning application and agree with the reasons above.

R.L. , NE16 (Skons Park opencast petition: Jan. 7th, 10:51 am)

NO TO SKON'S PARK OPENCAST MINING

B.V. (Skons Park opencast petition: Jan. 7th, 1:14 am)

Our village already has far too much traffic travelling through it without the added burdon of huge heavy lorries passing through. It would absolutely ruin the area.

M.N. , NE16 (Skons Park opencast petition: Jan. 6th, 8:28 pm)

Margaret and Mario Neri strongly oppose the opencat mine.

P.T. , NE21 (Skons Park opencast petition: Jan. 6th, 8:09 pm)

This cannot be allowed to happen.

J.L. , NE39 (Skons Park opencast petition: Jan. 6th, 7:53 pm)

Keep up the good work

T.C. , NE16 (Skons Park opencast petition: Jan. 6th, 5:47 pm)

The entrance of the lorries onto Fellside road will cause a danagerous situation on an already risky road. The route through Marley Hill, Sunnyside, and Lobbly Hill, in particular, is narrow and already difficult to navigate due to parked cars and volume of traffic.

A.L. , NE39 (Skons Park opencast petition: Jan. 6th, 5:37 pm)

Skons Park is just a few hundred yards from Gibside Chapel and grounds, a popular local beauty spot!

C.C. , NE16 (Skons Park opencast petition: Jan. 6th, 4:49 pm)

I strongly disagree with the opencast mining proposal on environmental and health and safety grounds. Fellside Road is already a death trap - this would make it worse.

J.A. , NE39 (Skons Park opencast petition: Jan. 6th, 4:14 pm)

I hope that when the decision is made on this appeal that the views of local people outweigh the commercial interests of these who have no intention of actually making a viable and constructive contribution to this area.

K.M. , NE16 (Skons Park opencast petition: Jan. 6th, 3:36 pm)

The A692 is a nightmare to cross now with two small children. With more heavy lorries using it we will be housebound

D.T. , NE39 (Skons Park opencast petition: Jan. 6th, 1:15 pm)

Let the coal lie in the ground where the carbon dioxide is locked in the earth where nature put it out of harms way. Let us concentrate instead, on saving our beautiful planet instaed of short term financial gain. Let us build a safe world and a safe future for our children, they deserve nothing less.

J.H. , NE11 (Skons Park opencast petition: Jan. 6th, 12:19 pm)

The beauty of the Derwent Valley must be preserved. It is a valuable asset for Gateshead and in fact the whole of the NE.

D.H. , NE11 (Skons Park opencast petition: Jan. 6th, 12:14 pm)

A dreadful proposal, bad for immediate
area, bad for environment as a whole. Gibside a big attraction which must not be damaged. NE has suffered enough for coal, and global warming must now be taken into account.

N.R. , NE21 (Skons Park opencast petition: Jan. 6th, 12:00 pm)

This is a beautiful area, and should be kept as it is.

J.H. , NE16 (Skons Park opencast petition: Jan. 6th, 11:39 am)

This cannot be allowed to happen. Residents lives will be made a misery with dirt and lorries.

E.H. (Skons Park opencast petition: Jan. 6th, 11:29 am)

Keep the Countryside as it is, has it all to be distroyed before we or the ruling bodies in power realise that we were WRONG TO DO SO.

S.P. (Skons Park opencast petition: Jan. 6th, 11:28 am)

THE DAMAGE TO THE AREA ENVIROMENT , WILDLIFE , GLOBEL WARMING ETC ,TOO HIGH A PRICE TO PAY ,FAR TOO MANY NEGATIVES THAN POSITIVES THIS OPEN CAST MUST NOT GO AHEAD.!!!!!

C.C. , NE16 (Skons Park opencast petition: Jan. 6th, 11:24 am)

I am completely opposed to this application.

D.C. , NE16 (Skons Park opencast petition: Jan. 6th, 11:23 am)

I am totally opposed to this application.

M.R. (Skons Park opencast petition: Jan. 6th, 10:52 am)

What a disgrace!!! As well as all of the various aspects of damage that will be created i am shocked that any consideration at all has been given to churning up one of the most beautiful sites within this area.

L.T. (Skons Park opencast petition: Jan. 6th, 10:33 am)

Totally opposed

S.T. (Skons Park opencast petition: Jan. 6th, 10:33 am)

No Way

C.D. , NE16 (Skons Park opencast petition: Jan. 6th, 9:05 am)

Good luck with this campaign.
This appeal should not even be considered.The detrimental effects to the area would be appalling.

J.G. (Skons Park opencast petition: Jan. 6th, 8:58 am)

i would like to support the campaign against the opencast, so keep up the good work

J.T. , NE16 (Skons Park opencast petition: Jan. 5th, 11:16 pm)

We are strongly opposed to the proposed opencast site due to beautiful countryside and close proximity to villages. The main road is very busy already and further heavy lorry use would be unacceptable.

N.E. , NE11 (Skons Park opencast petition: Jan. 5th, 11:10 pm)

Lets look at renewable energy supplies, the rivers, the wind, the sun, not enough is being done to support these ideas locally.

A.S. , NE16 (Skons Park opencast petition: Jan. 5th, 11:07 pm)

THE PLANNED ROUTE FOR LORRIES FROM THE
SITE WOULD CAUSE PROBLEMS WITH TRFFIC THROUGH BYERMOOR, MARLEY HILL,SUNNISIDE
AND LOBLEY HILL. IT WOULD ALSO PASS BY THREE SCHOOLS.

K.Z. , NE16 (Skons Park opencast petition: Jan. 5th, 10:31 pm)

Sunniside already experiences a large amount of traffic passing through on the 692. Friends of mine who are residents find it unsafe for their children. More heavy through traffic will add to this unjust and unsafe situation.

S.P. (Skons Park opencast petition: Jan. 5th, 10:12 pm)

This will be disastourous for the residents of whickham, remember the lorrys from the Consett Steel works - fellside road was a dangerous place.

T.A. , NE16 (Skons Park opencast petition: Jan. 5th, 9:54 pm)

The lorries will totally wreck the raods through the villages they will pass through. The site iteself will ruin a beautiful area and correct me if I'm wrong but is there a public right of way through that field.

A.C. , NE16 (Skons Park opencast petition: Jan. 5th, 9:52 pm)

This is an unacceptable proposition on the grounds of increased traffic on already heavily congested roads in urban areas with high concentrations of school children and OAP`s.
The damage caused to this area of stunning natural beauty could never be repaired no matter how much landscaping occured afterwards, and there will also be a hugely detrimental effect on the populations of the fauna found in this area.

I.B. , NE16 (Skons Park opencast petition: Jan. 5th, 9:00 pm)

Apart from the horrendous and totally unnecessary environmental damage the site would cause to the area, the road system is totally inadequate to support such works: the road system is already badly overstretched

M.S. , NE16 (Skons Park opencast petition: Jan. 5th, 8:43 pm)

I strongly back the campaign against this proposed opencast which would be dangerous and damaging for the village and the surrounding area.

J.W. , NE16 (Skons Park opencast petition: Jan. 5th, 8:38 pm)

This is an area of beauty and should be left untouched, so the natural integration of wild life may continue.

A.H. (Skons Park opencast petition: Jan. 5th, 8:35 pm)

I wissh to oppose the plans for the opencast mine in Skon's Park

P.H. (Skons Park opencast petition: Jan. 5th, 8:34 pm)

I wish to oppose the plan for an opencast mine in Skon's Park.

M.S. (Skons Park opencast petition: Jan. 5th, 8:26 pm)

too much damage to environment - too much extra trafic around A1 and feeding roads

D.R. , DH9 (Skons Park opencast petition: Jan. 5th, 8:07 pm)

This proposal would bring only disadvantages and no benefits to the local community.

P.E. , NE16 (Skons Park opencast petition: Jan. 5th, 8:04 pm)

I strongly oppose for the application of the opencast Skons Park next to Gibside in Whickham

S.M. , NE11 (Skons Park opencast petition: Jan. 5th, 7:40 pm)

Climate change is given lipservice by the current 'dead man walking' NuLabour PM, but that's all. This proposal MUST be rejected.

J.B. , NE21 (Skons Park opencast petition: Jan. 5th, 7:39 pm)

The profits to far distant shareholders cannot be justified when balanced against the impact this would have on the quality of life of local residents.

O.B. (Skons Park opencast petition: Jan. 5th, 7:33 pm)

This would use Fellside road, where my school is. I would not like the extra pollution caused by these lorries, as well as the danger of the lorries themselves going up Fellside road.

H.B. (Skons Park opencast petition: Jan. 5th, 7:33 pm)

This would use Fellside road, where my school is. I would not like the extra pollution caused by these lorries, as well as the danger of the lorries themselves going up Fellside road.

S.B. (Skons Park opencast petition: Jan. 5th, 7:33 pm)

This would use Fellside road, where my school is. I would not like the extra pollution caused by these lorries, as well as the danger of the lorries themselves going up Fellside road.

L.B. (Skons Park opencast petition: Jan. 5th, 7:31 pm)

A great presentation of the planned lorry route, a link direct from that video would be a good idea? Good luck!

D.P. , NE39 (Skons Park opencast petition: Jan. 5th, 7:19 pm)

This area has only recently recovered from the ravages of more than 100 years of deep mine coal extraction and the removal of spoil heaps that the industry necessarily produces. We have given enough; no more please.

A.O. , NE21 (Skons Park opencast petition: Jan. 5th, 7:12 pm)

why spoil the beautiful countryside and cause damage to the environment. There's also the extra lorries bringing more traffic congestion than there already is, plus the fumes off same.

N.B. , NE39 (Skons Park opencast petition: Jan. 5th, 6:41 pm)

We bought a house in Rowlands Gill to enable us to bring our family up in a safe and clean environment. I can only hope the Secretary of State considers Global warming for the next generation by stopping such plans.

J.B. , NE39 (Skons Park opencast petition: Jan. 5th, 6:37 pm)

Please do not destroy the area by allowing this opencast to go ahead

C.L. (Skons Park opencast petition: Jan. 5th, 6:35 pm)

Keep fighting this awful proposal. Would the secretary of state for communities and local government like it on his doorstep?

R.T. (Skons Park opencast petition: Jan. 5th, 6:27 pm)

totaly against the open cast because of all the above reasons

M.W. , NE16 (Skons Park opencast petition: Jan. 5th, 5:47 pm)

I hope all the points listed above will be considered very seriously before any decisions are made. I feel an open-cast site would be very detrimental.

J.M. , NE16 (Skons Park opencast petition: Jan. 5th, 5:44 pm)

I.L. (Skons Park opencast petition: Jan. 5th, 5:42 pm)

I am totally against this, from an ecological point of view.

B.H. (Skons Park opencast petition: Jan. 5th, 5:38 pm)

I am very impressed with my local Lib Dems internet pro-activity and as a result will vote accordingly in the local elections. Thank's for the good work.

C.S. , NE16 (Skons Park opencast petition: Jan. 5th, 5:34 pm)

It's a ridiculous proposal- Gateshead MBC etc have spent a lot of time and money reclaiming land from the dirty industrial era. We now have wonderful landscape in this area which is enjoyed by many people, for a variety of uses. The roads could not sustain the additional heavy traffic - Whickham already takes time to get out of and back to in the busy periods. Thank you for fighting this issue.

M.T. , NE16 (Skons Park opencast petition: Jan. 5th, 5:27 pm)

This planning application attracted the highest level of written opposition ever experienced by Gateshead Council's Planning Department and was quite rightly unanimously rejected by the Council twice! In the face of such total opposition, the applicant should have been refused leave to appeal, thereby saving Gateshead ratepayers the high cost of responding.

A.H. , NE39 (Skons Park opencast petition: Jan. 5th, 5:17 pm)

I fully support this petition and would urge sane minded people to do the same
Allan Arthur Hall.

A.S. (Skons Park opencast petition: Jan. 5th, 5:16 pm)

This would be an environmental disaster and would totally undermine all recent efforts to develop the Derwent Valley and its surroundings

A.H. , NE16 (Skons Park opencast petition: Jan. 5th, 5:12 pm)

I think that the proposed opencast will ruin the work that has been done in recent years to improve the Derwent Valley/Gibside areas.

M.B. , NE39 (Skons Park opencast petition: Jan. 5th, 5:07 pm)

A disater for the local environment and its amenity value.

T.B. , NE39 (Skons Park opencast petition: Jan. 5th, 5:05 pm)

An eyesore (and earsore) for some distance around.
A dangerous increase in traffic

P.W. , NE39 (Skons Park opencast petition: Jan. 5th, 4:58 pm)

This must not be allowed to go ahead.

W.B. , NE16 (Skons Park opencast petition: Jan. 5th, 4:48 pm)

I feel that the safety of the public and the damage to the environment are key issues here. The access road to the proposed site is one of the most dangerous in the area and has several casualties to its name. The surrounding area is a residential one with many families living in the villages surrounding the proposed site. Pollution and environmental issues are extremely relevant here; the bottom line is the site is not a suitable one for this kind of development regardless of whether there is fossil fuel to be mined; other issues far outweigh the need for this development.

P.H. , NE39 (Skons Park opencast petition: Jan. 5th, 4:40 pm)

It seems ridiculous that local public and political opinion and processes can be disregarded by a distant company through an appeal to a national minister of state. I totally back this petition.

D.E. , NE16 (Skons Park opencast petition: Jan. 5th, 4:32 pm)

Havibg seen the route the lorries will take I think that the extra traffic generated will have a negative effect on the area.

A.G. , NE21 (Skons Park opencast petition: Jan. 5th, 4:29 pm)

the roads are not big enough for increased lorry traffic. Re open Ellington if coal is required. do not spoil our landscape. the decision was made. Abide by it.

R.G. , NE16 (Skons Park opencast petition: Jan. 5th, 4:24 pm)

Totally inappropriate development for a scenic, rural area and far too close to residential areas.

A.D. (Skons Park opencast petition: Jan. 5th, 4:23 pm)

The route of the lorries will come right through marley hill, this is already a busy road and does not need 5 ton lorries on it every half an hour.

W.N. , NE16 (Skons Park opencast petition: Jan. 5th, 4:22 pm)

Here we go again! I note Mrs Kelly is proposing to shift "seat" in Bolton with a firmer majority!

WJN.

A.L. , NE16 (Skons Park opencast petition: Jan. 5th, 4:16 pm)

We are with you all the way

D.L. , NE16 (Skons Park opencast petition: Jan. 5th, 4:15 pm)

Keep up the good work in upholding Gateshead's decision and opposing the appeal.

P.B. , NE11 (Skons Park opencast petition: Jan. 5th, 4:05 pm)

It is dangerous enough on the main bank at Lobley Hill without the addition of all those huge lorries. Not to mention the pollution and the fact we should be looking for an alternative to fossil fuels not digging up more.

J.G. , NE16 (Skons Park opencast petition: Jan. 5th, 4:04 pm)

Please add my name to this petition. It is an insane proposal and will cause inconvenience and upheaval to all local residents whilst benefitting only the proposed developer.

A.G. , NE16 (Skons Park opencast petition: Jan. 5th, 4:00 pm)

Please add my name to this petition as I certainly am against any open cast proposal in this area.

B.B. , NE16 (Skons Park opencast petition: Jan. 5th, 3:59 pm)

PLEASE FIGHT ALL THE WAY TO STOP THIS PLAN GOING AHEAD.THANK YOU

J.P. (Skons Park opencast petition: Jan. 5th, 3:59 pm)

the roads around this site are overflowing with traffic now,i dread to think what it will be like if this ludicrous plan gets the go ahead.

D.H. , NE16 (Skons Park opencast petition: Jan. 5th, 3:58 pm)

I know a case will be put for the coal mining by the powers that be BUT UNDER NO CIRCUMSTANCES should this be allowed to take place. The devastation to the surrounding country-side will be a blight on we who live here and we have just cleaned up the country-side from the past coal mines to the betterment of the local inhabitants.

K.L. , NE16 (Skons Park opencast petition: Jan. 5th, 3:58 pm)

Besides environmental damage that would occur with opencast, the traffic congestion through Sunniside and Whickham is already unreasonable and this would surely make things even worse.

M.S. , NE16 (Skons Park opencast petition: Jan. 5th, 3:57 pm)

NO TO OPEN CAST IN THE WHICKHAM AREA
MARGARET SODERBERG

R.A. , NE16 (Skons Park opencast petition: Jan. 5th, 3:57 pm)

This proposal is absolute madness

M.S. , NE16 (Skons Park opencast petition: Jan. 5th, 3:56 pm)

NO TO OPEN CAST IN THE WHICKHAM AREA
 

P.D. (Skons Park opencast petition: Jan. 5th, 3:56 pm)

I dont want my children to grow up with this kind of thing on my doorstep.

P.B. , NE16 (Skons Park opencast petition: Jan. 5th, 3:56 pm)

NO TO OPEN CAST IN THE WHICKHAM AREA
 

R.H. , NE16 (Skons Park opencast petition: Jan. 5th, 3:55 pm)

I think that the environmental damage would far outway any benefit from the proposed opencast.

E.B. , NE16 (Skons Park opencast petition: Jan. 5th, 3:55 pm)

NO TO OPEN CAST IN THE WHICKHAM AREA
 

S.M. (Skons Park opencast petition: Jan. 5th, 3:55 pm)

I live on the main road in Rowlands Gill and there is already too much traffic.Sometimes it can take 5 minutes to get out of my drive, so more lorries will be abominable.

C.R. , NE39 (Skons Park opencast petition: Jan. 5th, 3:52 pm)

I strongly object to the appeal submitted by Halls of Durham seeking planning permission for an opencast mine near Whickham and Rowlands Gill for the reasons outlined in the petition.

S.F. , NE16 (Skons Park opencast petition: Jan. 5th, 3:52 pm)

Totally against this in a beautiful area of countryside.

M.A. , NE39 (Skons Park opencast petition: Jan. 5th, 3:51 pm)

I strongly object to the appeal submitted by Halls of Durham seeking planning permission for an opencast mine near Whickham and Rowlands Gill for the reasons outlined in the petition.

S.W. , NE16 (Skons Park opencast petition: Jan. 5th, 3:50 pm)

apart from the fact that which ever way the transport goes it will pass school gates also the Traffick