Published: Monday, 22nd March, 2010 2:34pm
Green protestors set up camp near Oakley
by Gary Fitzpatrick
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A GROUP of activists have climbed trees and started a protest camp on the Blair House open cast coal site near Oakley.
Around 20 campaigners are involved in the protest and say they are acting in solidarity with local opponents of the development.
UK Coal were given permission to mine 720,000 tonnes of fuel on the site despite 150 objections.
The activists say trees have been chopped down as part of preparatory work and they are acting to prevent any more being lost.
Fiona Richards, one of the protestors, said, "This new coal mine is only one of 20 such others to have recently been given planning permission in Scotland.
"If we are to have any chance of limting dangerous climate change and protecting communities from carbon intensive industries direct action must be taken as councillors, mining companies and the Government have shown their unwillingness to solve the problems we face."
West Fife villages councillor Gerry McMullan was planning to visit the protestors this afternoon (Monday).
He said, "I was one of the few councillors to vote against this development especially given the site's close proximity to homes in the area.
"However, during that democratic decision making process we heard nothing from this group who are Johnny Come Latelys on this issue.
"They're not interested in health or the environment. All they're interested in is causing disruption."
For Fife police, Chief Superintendant Brian Plastow said, "This appears to be a peaceful protest and there has been no impact on the local roads or public, We will continue to liaise with the protestors and monitor their actions."
Have your say. .
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slackers
Unregistered User
Mar 23, 12:37
Comment: 9732
Plant trees elsewhere, problem solved!
Get jobs! Perhaps the coal mine will employ you :)
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Fish
Unregistered User
Mar 23, 15:05
Comment: 9737
We are talking about ruining the existing countryrnside for ever. Open cast mines devistate the envviroment and also cause health issues as they create large amount of toxic dust, children are even more susceptible to this than Adults. Also these mines are not sustainable, yes they create jobs but only for a limited time. Is this worth irreversibly destroying a natural enviroment that has been there for hundreds thousand years.I commend these activists and hope more people from around the surrounding area get invloved in this campaign.
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******
Unregistered User
Mar 23, 22:01
Comment: 9743
This comment has been referred for moderation
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mickymac
Unregistered User
Mar 24, 19:49
Comment: 9762
w e had open casts years ago and nobody put up any objetsion to them yes they do bring work and yes its not long long term but it will give some one a pwage at end of the week and a meal and roof over there head .i think use that demonstrate need to get jobs .looks like yous have tomuch time on your hands get a job
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ewanbonnar
Unregistered User
Mar 26, 13:00
Comment: 9837
Where do these people get money from to find time to protest? Benfits or are they just rich enough already. If you want to see how opencast looks after you are finished(land re-instated they should visit the field at the bottom of duck hill(road from oakley to cai
eyhill). Good arable land. If assurances are there that dust control measures are in place & re-instatement of land then it's a good idea. Chinese & Russian coal? Why?
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Sam the Bam
Unregistered User
Mar 26, 14:20
Comment: 9842
Gerry McMullan says they're only interested in causing disruption. So what about the disruption that'll be caused by the countless lorries trundling past the homes of the people living near the site, not to mention the added noise, dust and fumes? And as for his claim of 'democratic decision making', he needs to remember the number of objections that were tabled, not one of which were given any form of serious consideration before the planning application was accepted.
This lot (at Fife Council) make me sick.
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coalminer
Unregistered User
Mar 27, 14:14
Comment: 9867
Bring on the coal mine :)
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Auldbean
Unregistered User
Mar 28, 20:56
Comment: 9898
I cant wait till the open cast comes along purely because I am struggeling to find a job and I would love a job there.
It would certainly be better than sitting at home, bored out my head looking for a job. Or hugging trees.
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Douglas Couser
Unregistered User
Mar 29, 05:42
Comment: 9902
What you all like? When you flick a Light switch on in your home, did you ever pause to question how this works. Let me inform the ones that don't know. It's because opencast coal is powering places like Longannet, enabling the power to your house hold electricity. And thats how and why your lights work on demand. And good luck to all that secure employment at the site. Gone are the days of secure employment.
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Opencaster
Unregistered User
Mar 30, 19:56
Comment: 9961
Haha what a shower of clowns for thinking this will bring jobs, wealth and prosperity to Oakley and the surrounding area.
What sort of jobs do you people really think will be on offer? I'll tell you, low skilled, low paid, contract work, usually run by greedy agencies employing you on temporary contracts that will end as quickly as the ink had dried on the planning approval.
This won't be 'jobs for life' as in the 'good old days' of the NCB. This crowd are out to make a quick buck, and they don't care what they do to get it.
Wake up and smell the coffee!!!!
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lev
Unregistered User
Apr 7, 12:47
Comment: 10218
opencaster well said comrade
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