Her from two committees. The Prime Minister is being urged to block plans for a new coalmine whitehaven in cumbria. Dozens of environmental groups have written to him and saying they are mystified that the government has not intervened even though it is due to host a climate in glasgow this year. Downing street insists the government is a world leader and will not reverse the decision. Newsreel and beneath this land lie more than 200 million tons of coal. Its more than half a century since the last deep coal mine opened in the uk. The plan is to burrow under the irish sea to access a vast deposit of high quality coal. The local mayor is delighted. I think the project is absolutely fantastic. You know, itll bring huge amounts ofjobs and prosperity into the area. Its been broadly welcomed right across copeland. Ive never known a project thats carried so much public support. The coal produced here wont be used to generate power, but to make steel, he says, and means less will need to be i