A final decision on whether the proposed new coal mine in Whitehaven can go ahead is due to be made this week.

Secretary of state Michael Gove, is expected to make a decision on the controversial scheme by Thursday, after years of dispute over whether it should be allowed to go ahead.

Supporters of the mine remain confident that the plans will be given the green light, while environmentalists continue to urge the Government to invest in renewables instead.

Mayor of Copeland Mike Starkie, an ardent supporter of the mine, said: “I have been confident from day one that the mine will go ahead. I think it will go ahead because it’s exactly the right thing to do.

“I’m hopeful we are going to get a decision within the next 24 hours, giving the green light, that will be fantastic news for the local economy. It will bring an abundance of jobs both directly and in the supply chain and will give the whole area a massive economic boost.

“It will just be fantastic news that will be celebrated by the majority of Copeland.”

Friends of the Earth energy campaigner, Tony Bosworth, said: “Demand for the type of coal that would be mined in Cumbria is falling fast, with over 40 per cent of EU steel already made without coal-powered blast furnaces. Nor will it replace Russian coal at home because the UK steel industry has already found alternatives. “But it will cause more planet-heating pollution to be pumped into our atmosphere, which is why the chair of the government’s climate advisory group recently called it “indefensible”.

“Cumbria must be at the heart of plans to build a green economy. Investing in renewables and a comprehensive energy efficiency programme would cut emissions, boost energy security and create thousands of much-needed jobs.”

Plans for a mine off the coast of Whitehaven by West Cumbria Mining were approved three times by Cumbria County Council but in February 2021, the authority suspended its decision and the plans were called in.

A planning inquiry was held in September and a report was prepared by the planning inspector for Michael Gove to consider before making a final decision on the plans.

A deadline of July 7 was set for the secretary of state for housing, communities and local government, to issue his decision.

The proposed £160million mine would remove coking coal from beneath the Irish Sea for the production of steel in the UK and export to Europe.