A globally renowned activist has spoken against plans for a coal mine in Whitehaven ­— and a Cumbrian group is considering launching a legal challenge based on its proximity to Sellafield.

Secretary of State Robert Jenrick revealed on Wednesday that he would not call-in plans for the Woodhouse Colliery coal mine proposed for the west Cumbrian coast.

The Secretary of State’s decision means that the final say now lies with Cumbria County Council.

Environmental activist Greta Thunberg has spoken out against the decision, and believes it is at odds with the Government’s zero carbon ambitions.

She said: “The UK government has decided not to intervene with the plans of opening a brand new English coal mine.”

“This really shows the true meaning of so-called ‘net zero 2050’.

Miss Thunberg added: “These vague, insufficient targets long into the future basically mean nothing today.”

A spokesman for Cumbria County Council said: “The Secretary of State has the power to take over particular planning applications rather than letting the local planning authority decide, which is known as ‘call-in’.

“We have been informed that the Secretary of State has decided not to call in the decision on the planning application for West Cumbria Mining.

“The council will now work with the developer to formalise the legal planning obligations, referred to as a section 106 Agreement.”

The spokesman added: “The Section 106 agreement will need to be finalised before the council can formally give the development permission.”

The £165 million West Cumbria Mining plan would extract coking coal from under the Irish Sea, off the coast of Whitehaven.

Its location creates safety concerns for activist Marianne Birkby and her group, Radiation Free Lakeland.

The group said: “We know for a fact that earthquakes are induced by mining. The developers themselves have admitted in their documents that subsidence expected to occur.

“What’s the main thing you don’t want to do with radioactive waste? Disturb them.

“There’s absolutely no reason to open a new coal mine, especially not one below radioactive waste.”

The group is trying to raise £5,000 to pay Leigh Day solicitors to looking into grounds for a legal challenge.