The determined effort over two years by a local community campaign, Communities Against Airfield Open Cast, has finally paid off. Midlothian Council has refused permission to Scottish Coal to mine two million tons of coal at Airfield Farm, Cousland, Scotland. This decision has been received by campaigners and local residents as a triumph but is by no means the end of the battle against the coal industry. Kingsnorth seems to be on hold, but the proposal for a new coal-fired power station at Hunterston is still in the planning stage and Communities Opposed to New Coal at Hunterston are still fighting.

Scottish Coal is mining Mainshill after months of battling against them. Now the company is after the few remaining parts of the Douglas Valley that are not yet open-casted and has submitted three applications for new open-cast mines. These will encircle communities which have already suffered from over 20 years of open casting. This involves millions of tons of coal, three new mines, an open cast disguised as an industrial development at Happendon, three existing operational open casts at Glentaggart, Broken Cross and Mainshill, one application for extension at Glentaggart, two unrestored ex-open casts, not to mention endless coal infrastructure in the area.

The Happendon Wood Action Camp will be hosting a five-day Autumn Gathering from November 6th-10th. More information can be found at www.coalactionscotland.org.uk.