Campaigners were celebrating today after borough councillors unanimously declared their opposition to an opencast coal mine at a Telford beauty spot.UK Coal’s proposals were slammed as “rape of the countryside” at a meeting of Telford & Wrekin Council’s plans board.

It means Telford will put up a united front when a public inquiry into the scheme is held in April – with parish and borough councils, wildlife groups, residents and MPs Mark Pritchard and David Wright joining forces to fight the mine.

Pat Judson, of protest group Friends of the Ercall, said after last night’s “no” vote: “I’m absolutely ecstatic.

“We’ve spent just over a year campaigning and we look forward to taking our battle to the inquiry.”

More than 500 people have bombarded Telford & Wrekin Council with objections to UK Coal’s desire to start mining at Huntington Lane, near Little Wenlock.

They fear the health of future generations will be harmed by dust, wildlife will be wiped out, property values will fall and beautiful countryside in the shadow of The Wrekin will be blighted.

The application is to extract 900,000 tonnes of coal, largely destined for Ironbridge Power Station. UK Coal says it would make safe an area riddled with old mine workings, create 90 jobs, meet national demand for coal, and disputed claims over health fears.

Councillor Terry Kiernan said: “It would be total rape of the countryside.”

Councillor Angela McClements, of Arleston ward, said: “Residents don’t want to see dust and pollution dumped on their properties from above.”