Hoodsclose Action Group has been formed by local residents in response to UK Coal Mining Ltd's intent to submit a planning application for a surface mine immediately adjacent to Whittonstall, which would be known as Hoodsclose Surface Mine.  This application is expected to be received in Spring 2010.  A Scoping Report has already been commissioned by UK Coal, which describes a scheme to extract 2.5 million tonnes of coal over seven and a half years, including a period of restoration.

UK Coal have already admitted that this is likely to be a 10-12 year project, so just what is the reality?

•	'Hoodsclose' is only ONE of FOUR sites that have been identified in the immediate area.  The immediate area being one of high landscape value; that is until there's a scar of a mine on the landscape.
•	All four sites could run until at least 2023, if not DECADES into the future.  That's decades of noise, filth and pollution.
•	House prices are likely to fall by up to 40% for those in the immediate vicinity of the surface mine(s).  Of course, this is only relevant if you're actually able to SELL your house.  Want to re-mortgage your home?  This is unlikely to be possible if you've bought your home in the last 5-10 years due to NEGATIVE EQUITY.
•	Daily blasting, using high-grade explosives, may occur up to FOUR times per day.  And, although the coal is likely to be transported using a private road, explosives may be brought to site via the B6309.
•	Whittonstall First School is situated immediately adjacent to the southern boundary of the site.  70% of the pupils commute from outside of the catchment area.  If the parents of these pupils withdraw their children from the school due to the health concerns associated with surface mining, is the school likely to remain open?  If the school were to close, where will local residents send the remaining children?