The future of plans to develop an opencast mine in south west Wales hang in the balance after councillors suspended their decision on the site.

A group of pitmen and their families picketed the meeting of community leaders in an attempt to push through the proposals.

We are all working for jobs. Our main concern is for the future and for colleagues' jobs Clem Llewelyn, miner

The campaigners - some of whom are out of work - want the proposals by Celtic Energy for the East Pit East site at Gwaun Cae Gurwen, Tairgwaith, Ammanford, to succeed.

It is hoped the scheme would provide 140 jobs at the site in the Amman Valley.

"The planning application was considered by the planning and development control committee," said a council statement.

"Following discussions the committee decided to defer the application for a site visit.

"A special meeting of the planning committee will be convened in the near future, to undertake the site visit and then to further consider the application."

Planners at Neath Port Talbot Council received recommendations to refuse the application at the meeting on Tuesday.

Two public meetings have already been held and hundreds of people have sent in letters and petitions for and against the proposal.

Clem Llewelyn, a miner of 36 years and secretary of the pro-mining Opencast Coal Committee of Wales, said: "We were deeply shocked by the recommendation.

"Our people are seeking to get back to work.

"The worst scenario is that we need that site to keep the other mining sites going," added Mr Llewelyn who works at nearby Selar mine.

Unique coal

Mr Llewelyn said the coal to be mined is prime anthracite and is unique to south west Wales.

"We are all working for jobs. Our main concern is for the future and for colleagues' jobs," he said.

Mr Llewelyn said he knows historically there are many objections to opencast but maintains jobs are more important.

He said: "I'm in my golden age but I'm looking at lads who have got young children and mortgages, some of these are looking at losing their homes."

The opencast campaigner was joined by fellow supporters when he delivered a letter in support of the plan to MP Peter Hain's office on Monday.

Objectors' fears

However, the plan has many objectors.

Concerns have been raised about noise and some people say they have had enough of opencast mining, dust and noise.

Several organisations, including Carmarthenshire County Council, have also raised objections.

The report before councillors recommends refusal on the grounds of a detrimental visual effect.

Another of the council's reasons for refusal is, they say, it would have an unacceptable impact on the communities of Cefn-Bryn-Brain, Rhosaman, and Cwmllynfell.

Members will also be told the proposals would perpetuate opencast activities at the site for a further minimum period of seven and a half years.