Parish councillors have been urged to ensure they have a “fall-back position” if controversial proposals for a huge opencast coal mine on the western edge of Telford win the backing of a planning inspector.

George Chancellor, former Little Wenlock Parish Council chairman, said the authority should have things in place to ensure it got any conditions it wanted, if UK Coal wins its planning appeal to mine 900,000 tonnes of coal at the site.

The application, for Huntington Lane, near Little Wenlock, is going to a public inquiry after UK Coal complained Telford & Wrekin Council had taken too long to decide on the plans.

Mr Chancellor told parish councillors yesterday: “You have got to have a fall-back position.”

The parish council decided to write to The Planning Inspectorate to indicate it wanted to be involved in any pre-inquiry hearing. Mr Chancellor also advised the parish council to work with Telford & Wrekin Council.

He said if the borough council was against the plans then it would be easier for the parish council because it would not need to be the lead objector.

Parish councillors heard the borough council was due to reveal its stance on the application this week.

UK Coal has said most of the coal mined would be destined for Ironbridge Power Station. It says its plan would make safe an area riddled with old mine workings, create 90 jobs and help meet a demand for coal.

Objectors claim their lives would be wrecked and their health harmed by the noise and dust, with wildlife wiped out and property values affected.