A Government body has called for conditions to be imposed to protect the environment if a company gets the go-ahead to mine coal from the countryside near Telford.

The Environment Agency says it has no objections in principle to UK Coal’s application for a site near Little Wenlock. But it recommends that if planning permission is granted at a public inquiry then certain requirements should be met by the firm.

The Environment Agency’s views on the application are listed in a report to go to a special Telford & Wrekin Council plans board on Thursday.

The planning application is to be dealt with at a public inquiry in April after UK Coal complained that the council had not dealt with it in time.

But councillors are being recommended to oppose the application at the public inquiry.

A report to the meeting says the Environment Agency feels there should be no interruption to the surface water drainage system of the surrounding land as a result of the operations on the site to prevent the increase of flooding.

It says every attempt should be made to relocate vegetation and fauna.

The Environment Agency also says conditions should be imposed to protect the water environment and prevent the increased risk of flooding.

The Coal Authority says in response to the application it encourages and supports the working of coal in environmentally and socially acceptable ways to meet the market need.

GVA Grimley on behalf of the Ironstone Development Group, involved in the construction of the new Lawley urban area, has no objections. The council’s highways officers says the development is acceptable on highway grounds.

And Natural England objects to the proposals but says this might be overcome by modifications and conditions. 

More than 500 objections have been made by members of the public.

By Lisa Rowley