A worried Northumberland family who moved to the area for the benefit of their children have hit out at the possibility of open cast coal mining being on their doorstep for their son and daughter’s entire childhood and teenage years.
Phillip and Sarah Blythe have lived in what they believed was going to be the idyllic setting of Druridge Bay since 2005 having fallen in love with the white sand beach and expansive dunes. They have a son, Indi, who is 4 years old and a daughter, Sennen, who is 3 years old and enjoy nothing more than exploring the ever changing coastline or playing family games in their gardens in the clean Northumbrian sea air.
Now however, as part of a plan by Banks Mining to open cast a huge area of land immediately to the south west of the couple’s home, they will have a permanent view of grassed baffle banks and the sounds and smells of heavy machinery until at least 2026, when Indi and Sennen will be 14 and 15 years old.
“Any one who has had children will know that parents want the very best for them,” said mum Sarah (aged 35). “We are very worried and angry that Banks feel that they can enforce their heavy engineering on us all for the next 10 plus years. “
Husband Phil who works at a local architects practice agreed. “ We know that traditionally South East Northumberland is a mining area but this beautiful part of the country has been subjected to more than its fair share of environmental damages over the years. We’ve had a foot and mouth burial site here, open cast mining in Butterwell, Stobswood and next up is Ferneybeds in Widdrington Station. Enough is enough.”
The possibility of Indi and Sennen being teenagers by the time the mine moves away isn’t the only worry the parents face. Evidence is showing that dust from open cast mining could be detrimental to children’s development and health, as could the noise of excavations and the air quality in general.
The pair are putting their support to the newly formed Save Druridge Campaign where already around 5000 signatures have been placed onto a petition to stop Banks Mining and the group have also more than 1500 followers on Twitter wishing them well in the planning process.
Anyone wishing to know more can contact Highlights PR on 07814 397951 or keith@highlightspr.co.uk
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Photo shows The Blythe family outside their homes that will face the open cast