The site has been used for opencast mining since 1990

In 2004, Northumberland County Council turned down an application by UK Coal for an extension to its site at Stobswood, near Morpeth.

The company submitted a revised application and the council approved it on Tuesday.

The plans had faced opposition from some residents who raised concerns about the impact of the expansion.

The site has been used for opencast mining since 1990. The application was for a 39 hectare expansion of the site to the north.

It gives the company permission to extract about 987,000 tonnes of coal and 57,000 tonnes of fireclay, with excavation to be completed by November 2008 and the site to be restored by September 2009.

The company said the scheme will provide direct employment for 59 people.

Public inquiry

The council rejected the original plans because it said the work would have an unacceptable impact on the local community.

The company appealed against the decision and a public inquiry had been due to hear the appeal.

A council spokesman said: "There were a number of key factors which influenced the Stobswood decision.

"Changes including transport of coal by rail will mean much less impact on local communities and environment over the previous scheme.

"Improved site management and operation practices will mean that impacts on local communities and the environment will be reduced."

He said that since the previous application was refused, Ellington Colliery had closed and there was now a commitment to supply coal from the site to Alcan.

Another key factor was the commitment to complete coaling and restoration by 2009 and not seek to extend the site further.