WE WILL be happy to accept the latest mining plans - as long as they’re the last.

That was the message this week from Logan, Cronberry and Lugar Community Council chairman Brian Broadley.

He was responding as Hargreaves held an open exhibition in the village outlining their latest plans for Duncanziemere.

This is just the latest stage of the phased-restoration process for the site, At a planning meeting in April, councillors admitted they were caught between a rock and a hard place after accepting Hargreaves’ controversial proposals.

They allowed the Durham-based firm to continue operating at the site - near Logan, Lugar and Cronberry - under reduced restoration proposals.

That was their Plan B scenario but now they are ready to submit their latest proposals - Plan C - which would see more coaling taking place on the eastern part of the site with the money generated leading to extra restoration.

After seeing the latest plans, Brian said: “I certainly don’t think there will be many objectors as they have essentially got us over a barrel.

“They are offering us as close to a full restoration plan as we could have hoped for. If they weren’t to get approval and it all ended on their plan B scenario then they would leave a visible 12-hectare void that would be visible up on the road.

“They also say there will be some tapering and shaping of the hills.

“But if the council do approve it, they have to go back to original guidelines, before councillors started letting any application, to leave Glenmuir alone as, in their words, it’s a place of high scenic value.” In a detailed report, Hargreaves say they will extract approximately 400,000 tonnes of coal from the east extension - which is currently used for grazing sheep and cattle - over an approximate 21-month period.

Speaking after the meeting, Steve MacQuarrie, Planning Director from Hargreaves Surface Mining Ltd, said: “We’d like to thank everyone who found the time to attend the open invitation to our consultation event and for their valuable feedback.

“The comments received have backed up the changes we made to our original proposals for the site following input from local residents and stakeholders, with positive feedback being received for the improved restoration plan, which can be delivered as part of the East Extension.”