Economic benefits
Dewley Hill could provide jobs and careers for about 50 people, but also deliver substantial investment for local businesses and the supply chain.

Environmental Benefits

During the operation of the site, a biodiversity action plan is setup to manage wildlife and habitats. The objective of the plan is to ensure the key identified species (listed below) are maintained on or around the site throughout operations.

• Brown hare, bats, otter, barn owl, lapwing, skylark, yellowhammer, reed bunting, linnet, tree sparrow and grey partridge

Our restoration plan aims to provide net environmental gains across a range of interests. From the commencement, with the establishment of improved public access and the creation of new woodland and species rich grassland, the aim is to improve the green infrastructure running around and through the site. The diagram below shows the net benefit of the the restoration plan, particularly the creation of an 18ha Carr woodland and 4.1km of new footpath and bridleway.

Creating landscapes

Surface coal mining operations provide a unique opportunity to create interesting new landscapes, which can often increase accessibility and ecological value. Included in our Dewley Hill planning application, Banks Mining included a series of images that show how the landscape will look after the site has finished. Please find below the images, which look over the site in a northern and southern direction, as it is now, how it will look five years after the site has concluded and 15 years after the site has concluded.

Dewley Hill Surface Mine Community Fund

A community fund of £50,000 would be setup to provide financial assistance to community groups, voluntary organisations and the local community in the area surrounding the Dewley Hill site.

Dewley Hill Learning, Working, Earning Fund

Alongside the community benefits fund, a unique opportunity would be taken to establish a skills and opportunities fund of £50,000. The aim of the fund is to increase the number of local people able to access employment within the area around the Dewley Hill surface mine. The fund would reduce the financial barriers that local unemployed people may be experiencing by giving them the opportunity to access grant funding to support them with an apprenticeship or work based learning. It can also provide support to local small businesses looking to take on apprentices or trainees. Support would be available for applicants seeking support for employment and training in any sector although priority will be given to applicants seeking support for training and workplace learning in the local environment, conservation and tourism sectors.