Alliance welcomes end to lignite mining plans

12.00.00am BST (GMT +0100) Thu 29th Jul 2004

North Antrim Alliance representative Jayne Dunlop has welcomed news that plans to create a lignite mine at Ballymoney have been withdrawn.

Ms Dunlop, who had campaigned against the introduction of a lignite mine in North Antrim, stated:

"This news will come as a huge relief to residents in the area and further afield. There are serious environmental and health issues associated with lignite mining which caused great concern to the public.

"It is still possible that a similar scheme could be put forward in the future, but in light of the health concerns, public opinion and the fact that lignite is an inefficient fossil fuel I would hope that the Government would oppose production.

"Any future attempts to mine lignite would be vehemently opposed by both residents and environmentalists. Now that the immediate threat has been lifted I would urge the Government to put more emphasis on alternative renewable sources of energy which do not have such dire environmental consequences as lignite."