Plans to base a coking coal mine off the coast of Whitehaven are set to be debated by young Cumbrians in an online event.

The Your Voice Thursday online event will see panels speaking for and against the West Cumbria Mine Plan before the 16-25 year olds from across Cumbria debate the issue and give their verdict.

The online event next week is organised by the Centre for Leadership Performance on behalf of Cumbria Future Leaders and Your Future Here.

Cumbria Future Leaders hopes to give young people a voice, and bring together the various youth boards, professional networks, youth and community organisations to work collaboratively for a greater impact.

Initiatives from the centre are designed to engage, inform and excite young people about careers in Cumbria and give them a voice.

Cumbria Future Leaders’ 16-18 group chose the coal mine as the topic for discussion.

They are interested to know what the young people of Cumbria think about the plans, because they are the ones who will live with this new colliery – and perhaps work there – over the coming decades.

If West Cumbria Mining’s plan goes ahead following a public inquiry scheduled to begin on September 7 2021, it will see a coking coal mine on a 689-acre site near Whitehaven for up to 50 years.

West Cumbria Mining says coking coal “plays a crucial part in the renewable energy supply chain” and supporters claim the colliery will bring jobs and prosperity to West Cumbria, and help the steel industry.

Speakers in favour of the plan will include Copeland MP Trudy Harrison and Copeland Elected Mayor Mike Starkie.

Speakers against the plan include Rebecca Willis, Professor in Practice at Lancaster University’s Environment Centre, and SLDC councillor and environmentalist Giles Archibald.

The anti-mine lobby argues that with the world in the middle of a climate crisis, new coal mines should not be allowed and wants the government to fast-track the development of a zero carbon future, bringing new jobs and opportunities.

The online event will run from 5pm to 6.30pm on Thursday, May 27.

Anyone aged 16-25 and living in Cumbria can take part in the debate by registering at https://cumbriafutureleaders.org.uk/events-2