A film detailing the controversies over the environmental and economic impact of opencast coal mining in County Durham. With a breakdown of all the opponents’ postulations (which include those of environmentalists, miners, support groups, residents) the film draws on a series of confrontational planning enquiries that have taken place, outlining the extent to which new legislation hinders the grounds on which local authorities can refuse an application to mine a site. Prospects of future...

A film detailing the controversies over the environmental and economic impact of opencast coal mining in County Durham. With a breakdown of all the opponents’ postulations (which include those of environmentalists, miners, support groups, residents) the film draws on a series of confrontational planning enquiries that have taken place, outlining the extent to which new legislation hinders the grounds on which local authorities can refuse an application to mine a site. Prospects of future employment are evidently decreased with the influx of lower priced imports of coal and the perceived threat of a renewed surge in applications for opencast mining. The film uses a mixture of archive film, interviews and a dramatised mock inquiry to frame the subject and the surrounding issues and debates.   The film opens showing open hilly countryside, then moves on to a large dragline excavator removing spoil from a large excavation. A view of a Bradley Cottages near Consett is followed by lorries in Swalwell delivering coal. Pitch Wilson from the Council for the Protection of Rural England leans against a field gate looking over open countryside as he states that open cast mining is the most environmentally destructive method of extracting coal. A view follows of the dragline excavator seen earlier, working in the centre of Cocken Lodge open cast mine. On screen John Stevenson, regional director of British Coal’s Open Cast Executive outlines the benefits of open cast mining. The film cuts to a view of the winding gear of a pit head, then to the smoking chimneys of terraced houses at Easington.. Billy Etherington, general secretary of Durham Mechanics, National Union of Mineworkers stands at a street location and explains that open cast coal extraction threatens deep mine operations in the county. Out in open country Lily Fail complains that open cast mining will devastate the countryside nearby. Mick Donnelly, a miner complains that those who wish to remove open cast mining from the countryside, would threaten his livelihood. Title: Landscrape An excerpt from archive film [‘Review’ – 1976, NCB] shows a helicopter taking off from a field, it then flies over the city of Durham while in voice over a commentator provides a short history of coal mining and a description of the extent of reserves in the Durham countryside. Joanne Carr, chair of the planning committee of Derwentside District Council describes the recent history of deep coal mining and its demise in the county, due mainly to open cast mining. Demma Wright a former Durham miner appears on screen and points to another pit that was closed only to be ‘re-opened’ using the open cast method of mining a few years later. John Stevenson on site seen earlier, argues for the benefits of the open cast system and how quickly land can be reclaimed and landscaped after coal reserves have been exhausted. Desmond Napier of the Council for the Protection of Rural England describes the geology and history of the landscape in the Durham coalfield, while looking towards an expanse of Durham countryside A countryside view follows taken near Pontop Pike as Pitch Wilson in voice over outlines the amount of coal reserves available in the area, but also the effect of environmental devastation that would take place if it was mined. He comes into view and continues his narrative. Lily Ross of the Durham Area Miners Support Group off camera describes the barren quality of reclaimed land and the effect of working open cast mines in the area. She claims that the reclaimed land is no better than the open cast workings. Pitch Wilson outlines the numbers of open cast mines that have been in operation over the years and the devastating affect they have on the countryside. Desmond Napier recalls that open cast mining was used during the Second World War, in order to meet the demand for more energy. Archive film [Mining Review -1948, NCB] shows some of the earth moving equipment being produced using former military tanks. They are turned into tractors for open cast work. Another archive film [Mining Review -1957, NCB] follows showing open cast mining and subsequent land reclamation. Desmond Napier outlines the immediate post war period of coal mining. More archive film [Review -1983, NCB] looks at coal mining, the economic climate and the use of oil and cleaner fuels by industry. After oil price increases in the early 70’s, coal production was invested in once again. Andrew Horsler deputy regional marketing director for British Coal, talks on screen about the oil price increasing in 1974 and the subsequent investment in coal. Speaking from Blyth quayside Michael Prior with the power station chimneys in the background, Energy Consultant for Durham County Council speaks about the plan for coal initiative of the mid 70’s. More archive footage from Review 1974 and 1975 shows general views of coastal collieries such as Dawdon, Horden, Easington and Blackhall. Miners read newspapers announcing investment in the coal industry. Michael Prior at Blyth continues the story about the plan for coal initiative and its failure, due to reduction in general fuel demand. Archive film follows [Review – 1983, NCB] showing the decline in demand for coal in the 1980’s. Michael Prior on camera outlines the output of open cast mines against deep mine coal produce during the Seventies. The next section illustrates how open cast mining led to mine closures in the 1980’s, Lily Ross provides commentary along with footage of lorries being stopped by striking miners during the early 80’s strike, the film goes on to show the run down village of Hordern a victim of pit closures. Billy Etherington also provides comments on the demise of Horden which once had aspirations to be a ‘super pit’. Speaking from his desk Councillor Bob Pendlebury, chairman of Durham County Council suggests that reduction in deep mine production should be mirrored with a similar reduction in open cast production. John Stevenson disagrees. In his office John Swinburne, solicitor for environmental interests comments on the increase in planning applications General views show Durham Cathedral, followed by an intercity train travelling over the viaduct. A man, a government planning inspector gets off the train at Durham station. Archive film [Mining Review – 1947, NCB] shows participants in the Durham Miner’s gala congregating outside the doors of the cathedral. The planning inspector stops and reads a commemorative plaque to Durham miners in the cathedral, he looks at a book of remembrance. General views show countryside and an open cast mine. A dramatized account follows of a local planning enquiry into open cast mining and the future employment prospects of the region. The government inspector seen earlier questions local officials and legal representatives. On screen John Stevenson and Adrian Horsler put forward their views regarding deep mine coal production versus open cast production. Billy Etherington comments in voice over. Lorries turn into an NCB yard to stockpile opencast coal. At Blyth, Michael Prior speaking from the quayside outlines the amount of open cast coal burnt at the nearby power station. The reconstruction of the local planning enquiry continues in a public hall. A barrister representing British coal advocates the reasons for opencast coal production, the main customers being power stations. Commentators Andrew Horsler, Pitch Wilson and Michael Prior make statements on the production of coking coal, and reduction of demand Archive footage [Mining Review – 1963, NCB] shows a number of new power stations. A view follows of Blyth power station. Andrew Horsler at an opencast mine makes the case for continuing open cast coal production. The film cuts back to the dramatised version of the planning enquiry, where cost of production compared with other countries is being examined. A barrister for the open cast site outlines how low costs are for this type coal production. A view follows of Seaham harbour and the colliery, in the harbour colliers unload. Various commentators appear on screen stating that less coal is being used than in 1974. Back to the enquiry briefly then back to comments from Andrew Horsler, Billy Etherington and Desmond Napier all outline the problem of over production. The film cuts to an aerial view of a former open cast mine now re-landscaped, taken from a documentary film [Review -1976, NCB] Pitch Wilson provides commentary. In voice over Desmond Napier comments on the the environmental impact in terms of forests being lost because of open cast mining. On screen Joanne Carr describes the impact on a well-loved valley if open cat mining takes place. She talks of the valley’s rich diversity of wildlife, she hopes this will continue for future generations Bob Emberson, Billingside gamekeeper goes about his work in woodland, in voiceover he outlines the rich wildlife of the area he’s known all his working life. An aerial view shows a street of stone terraced houses at High Stables near Dipton, a revived community of mainly younger residents. A group of them gather outside one of the cottages. They also have garden allotments, one of them talks about the threat of open cast development. The film then shows the Chapman Wells open cast site with baffle banks, built in order to screen the view of the coal mine from nearby housing. John Stevenson speaks on screen about how the system works. A large dragline excavator moves overburden from the open mine, making noise which disturbs local residents. Lily Ross in voice over comments on the noise. In a local village heavy industrial traffic passes by local schools, former miner Demma Wright off camera comments on the effect the traffic has on the village. The film cuts back to the planning enquiry reconstruction. Councillor  Bob Pendlebury speaking from his office talks of the promotion of tourism in the county and the detrimental effect open cast mining has on the industry. On camera Joanne Carr states that Derwentside Industrial Development officials have always resisted open cast mining, as it inhibits the kind of industry they would prefer being brought into the district. Ian Parkin on camera of R & A Young, private open cast operators,discounts this argument. The next sequence uses a number of spokesmen who give figures of how many people are employed by open cast operators, and also those employed in background and support industries. They also talk of the wholesale unemployment which would occur if the open cast industry could not gain planning permission for new projects. Demma Wright and Lily Ross on camera dispute the fact that the open cast companies bring significant employment to new open cast sites. They say the company often just transfers its workforce from exhausted workings to new developments. Billy Etherington states that four jobs are lost in deep mining for every job created in the open cast sector. General views show men and excavators working in an open cast site. A view follows of the deep coal mine at Easington, where the threat of expansion of open cast coal could threaten jobs in deep mines like Easington. General views follow of a busy street in the town. The film cuts back to the planning enquiry reconstruction. Andrew Horsler talks about the customer need for the coal and other commentators underline the need for British Coal to make a profit, and profit is best served by open cast coal mining. General views follow of work at an open cast mine, as the film cuts back to the local planning enquiry, where an argument is put forward that open cast coal mining is perhaps not the best use of land generally. A view follows of the entrance to a Miner’s Welfare Institute as the members of the local planning enquiry leave. A general view of the countryside is accompanied by a news report from Metro Radio, that the Environment secretary Nicholas Ridley has accused the Northern regions of not having enough golf courses. Commentators on camera view recent developments regarding planning applications with some concern, as it would seem to make progress easier for open cast mining projects to start, especially from the private sector. General views follows of open cast workings and lorries on roads. Bob Pendlebury on screen says handing over a finite resource to the private sector is the wrong thing to do. The planning inspector with a briefcase seen at reconstructed planning enquiry, stands motionless on a hillside looking at a nearby pithead museum. Archive film [Big Meeting NCB 1963] shows a Durham Miners Gala parade approaching and entering Durham Cathedral. In voice over Billy Etherington predicts the end of deep mining in Durham if there is a wholesale move towards open cast mining.   End Credit: Appellant’s Barrister – Howard Southern End Credit: Defendant’s Barrister – Andy Rashleigh End Credit: Planning Inspector: Roy Spencer End Credit: Clerks: Eddie Angel, Joe Ging, Harry Herring, Kenneth Miller, Nigel Stanger, Reg Thompson End Credit: Trade Films Production Unit – Matthew Burge, Bob Davis, John Eden, Stewart Mackinnon, Anne Reid, Ingrid Sinclair, Derek Stubbs, Liz Wild End Credit: Production Assistant – Eileen Brown End Credit: Camera Assistants – Chris Hunt, Phil James, Dave Marsh End Credit: Assistant Editor – Harriet Wistrich End Credit: Electrician – Tony Cook End Credit: Grips – Ian Maghie, Paul Francis End Credit: Make-Up – Ann Marie End Credit: Production Manager – Ingrid Sinclair End Credit: Sound – Graham Denman End Credit: Lighting Cameraman – Roger Schindler End Credit: Musical Effects – Simon Rogers End Credit: Editor – Lynda J. Fowke End Credit: Directed & Produced By – Matthew Burge & Bob Davis End Credit: With thanks to –   British Coal British Rail Central Electricity Generating Board Chester le Street District Council Council for the Protection of Rural England Dean and Chapter of Durham Cathedral Derwent Valley Protection Society Durham County Conservation Trust Durham County Council Durham County Miners Support Group Maxim Ford Marley Hill & District Community Association Metro Radio National Union of Mineworkers (Durham Area) Parliamentary Sound Archive Unit Residents of High Stables, Dipton R & A Young Ltd   End Credit: Archive Film British Coal National Film Archive Northern Film & TV Archive Tyne Tees TV Ltd The dramatised scenes in this film are loosely based on proceedings at local planning enquiries held in County Durham during 1987. All characters are merely representational, not impersonations of any actual participants. End Credit: Trade Films: Kevin Brown, Matthew Burge, Veronica Clark, Bob Davis, John Eden, Sylvia Hanlon, Sue Kennedy, Stewart Mackinnon, Anna Reid, Ingrid Sinclair, Martin Spence, Derek Stubbs, Liz Wild, Belinda Williams, Penny Woolcock End Credit: Made under the ACTT Workshop Declaration and with financial assistance from Channel Four, the British Film Institute and Northern Arts Trade Films Ltd © 1988