Court Reprieve for Anti-Mining Campaigners

Eco-warriors protesting against an opencast coal mine in Derbyshire took their fight to court today and were given a two- week reprieve.

The climate-change protesters from the Leave It In The Ground group barricaded themselves into a derelict two-storey building – Prospect Farm, in Bell Lane, Smalley – last month in an attempt to stop opencast mining in the area.

Four of the campaigners appeared at Derby County Court today as UK Coal, the firm behind the mine plans, sought to evict them. But the hearing was adjourned for two weeks, meaning the protestors can remain on the site during this time.

Peter Nelson, a campaigner who represented himself in court, said: “The adjournment means this won’t be resolved for two weeks so we will continue to raise awareness of the issue.”

The company planned to move heavy machinery into the area within the next two months before beginning mining in the autumn.

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