Two of Shropshire’s MPs have added their weight to opposition to a controversial application to mine hundreds of thousands of tonnes of coal from land on the edge of Telford.

Mark Pritchard, Conservative MP for The Wrekin, and David Wright, Labour MP for Telford, have both put forward strong objections to UK Coal’s plans for an opencast mine off Huntington Lane, near Little Wenlock.

And both are urging planners to refuse the application, which has now gone to a planning inquiry after UK Coal appealed against the length of time it was taking Telford & Wrekin Council, the local planning authority, to decide.

See also: Hundreds oppose mine plans 

A report has now been completed by the council’s planning department, which is recommending members of the council’s plans board oppose the scheme when they meet on Thursday.

Mr Pritchard said the applicant had not demonstrated the need for the coal, which has a higher sulphur content than imported types.

The MP, who has consulted his constituents, said: “At present, my community petition has attracted more than 300 names and is growing weekly.

“As the local member of parliament, I have also been contacted by numerous constituents expressing their concern about UK Coal’s planning application and, to date, not one has supported it.

“This is not my constituents being NIMBYs, but rather their saying that coal mining in this location is completely inappropriate because of its proximity to The Wrekin, because of the impact on an Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty, and also on the quality of life of local residents who have grown in some number since the last mining application in this area.”

Mr Wright said the application mirrored one made some years ago and the changing nature of the area around the site, with more homes having been built, meant the current proposal was not acceptable.

By Lisa Rowley