FRESH concerns over public safety and wildlife protection have been raised at a controversial opencast site at Halton Lea Gate.

Preliminary work is ongoing at the remote site, where HM Project Developments is set to extract 140,000 tonnes of coal.

The scheme was given the go-ahead by the Government’s Planning Inspectorate in 2012, despite fierce opposition from residents and Northumberland County Council planners.

The current work includes the installation of a lagoon to prevent pollution in local watercourses, before coal extraction can begin.

But at the annual meeting of Hartleyburn Parish Council on Tuesday, members of the public raised fears that several planning conditions are not being adhered to.

It was claimed that hedgerows and trees have been removed to provide access, and that a scaring device has been used to discourage birds from the site, which lies within the North Pennines AONB.

In addition, residents said yellow-coloured heavy machinery vehicles have accessed the site, going against a condition which states they must be green or grey, in keeping with the landscape.

And they claimed that a temporary access, currently being used by vehicles to get in and out of the site, is too close to the housing estate at Leaside, where children are known to play.

One resident said: “All the vehicles are in and out, coming through the village, great big diggers and huge great lorries.

“The site entrance which is currently being used is only 100 yards away from the estate. The summer is coming, and the kids will be out playing.”

Concerns were also raised about the removal of soil from the site during wet conditions, making it look like a “mud bath.”

Despite the comments, local county councillor Ian Hutchinson said he visited the site last week, and believes HM Project Developments is working in accordance with regulations.

He said: “They can’t take the coal out until all of the pre-commencement conditions have been fulfilled.

“They have got to have that lagoon in place to prevent any rubbish from going into the river.

“There is nothing, planning wise, that they are doing wrong.”

Coun. Hutchinson stressed that the local authority is regularly monitoring developments at Halton Lea Gate, and that all concerns raised will be listened to.