In a significant reversal of policy, the UK government has announced its decision to no longer defend the controversial Cumbria coalmine project, admitting an "error of law" in granting planning permission in December 2022. The new Secretary of State for Housing, Communities and Local Government, Angela Rayner, has acknowledged the mistake and informed the court that the decision should be quashed.

As a result, the government will not be defending two legal challenges against the coalmine, brought by environmental groups Friends of the Earth and South Lakes Action on Climate Change (SLACC). These challenges, which raise concerns about the climate impacts of burning coal, are scheduled to be heard at the High Court in London next week.

The government's decision to withdraw support for the project comes in the wake of a previous court ruling in June, which deemed permission for an oil drilling project in Surrey invalid due to inadequate consideration of the climate impacts of fossil fuel burning. The government referred to this ruling as a factor influencing their decision.

The proposed coalmine, spearheaded by West Cumbria Mining, seeks to establish the UK's first deep coal mine in over three decades. The mine would primarily produce metallurgical coal for use in the steel industry. However, it has faced vehement criticism from climate campaigners and the government's independent advisors on climate issues. Opponents argue that the project contradicts the UK's commitment to reducing greenhouse gas emissions and combating climate change.

The government has pledged to achieve net-zero greenhouse gas emissions by 2050 and reduce emissions by 68% by 2030. Notably, Chris Stark, former head of the Climate Change Committee, has denounced the coalmine, stating its potential to increase global emissions and have a significant impact on the country's legally binding carbon budgets.

This development has been applauded by campaigners against the coalmine. Maggie Mason, leader of the South Lakes Action on Climate Change group, expressed relief, emphasizing the potential risks associated with the mine's location near residential areas and the Irish Sea. Mason called for job creation that aligns with sustainable practices.

Jamie Peters, climate coordinator at Friends of the Earth, celebrated the government's acknowledgment that the planning permission was unlawfully granted. Peters expressed hope that the court would concur and that the secretary of state would reject the mine upon reconsideration. Peters also urged the government to prioritize job creation and investment in West Cumbria, ensuring a clean, green, and affordable future for the region.

The High Court will now assess whether the original planning decision should be overturned. According to Friends of the Earth, if the court determines that the decision was incorrect, the planning application will return to the secretary of state for a fresh decision. This turn of events casts doubt on the ultimate approval of the coalmine.

Labour MPs and opposition parties have seized upon this development, using it to draw attention to the increase in child poverty, ahead of next week's King's Speech.

The outcome of these legal proceedings will shape the destiny of the Cumbria coalmine project, as the government grapples with the need to strike a balance between economic development and environmental sustainability.