An application to site an opencast coal mine near the Midlothian village of Cousland has been rejected by Midlothian Council's planning committee.

Meeting today in Dalkeith, the committee agreed unanimously to endorse the view of planners and reject the application for a site known as Airfield Farm.

The application was rejected on a number of grounds, including that it was contrary to the Structure and Local plans for the area, and contrary to Scottish government planning policy as it would not have provided any benefits to the local community or local environment that would outweigh potentially negative implications, or "disbenefits", arising from its adverse visual and landscape benefit.

-- Advertisement --

Other grounds included: the possible adverse effect on the quality of life of local communities resulting from an additional source of noise into this rural environment, the impact from dust and the potentially adverse effect it will have on the enjoyment of recreational users of the surrounding countryside.

(GK)