THE opening of a new coal mine in West Cumbria has faced another potential setback after peers in the House of Lords narrowly backed a ban on the opening of new coal mines.

The House of Lords supported the Liberal Democrat-led move by 197 votes to 194, leaving a majority of three.

The enforced change to the Energy Bill comes after Levelling Up Secretary Michael Gove approved in December what is set to be the first new coal mine in the UK in 30 years, leading to accusations of 'environmental vandalism'.

The facility on the edge of Whitehaven in Cumbria is expected to extract nearly 2.8 million tonnes of coal per year for use in steel making, rather than power generation, and supporters of the scheme have said it will create 500 jobs.

But critics warn it will create more greenhouse gas emissions as the Government seeks to meet its net zero target and argue it is hypocritical in the wake of UK efforts on the international stage to show climate leadership and urge the world to give up on coal.

They want to see investment in green jobs.

Experts have also questioned the investment in an '1850s technology' to supply coal for steel manufacture as the industry looks to shift to cleaner production methods.

Last week a challenge against the new coal mine in west Cumbria was refused by the High Court following a campaign from local environmental campaigners.

The West Cumbrian mine has backing from local Conservative MPs including Copeland’s Trudy Harrison and Workington’s Mark Jenkinson.

Tory former Cabinet minister Lord Deben, who is chairman of the Climate Change Committee which advises the Government, branded the new Cumbrian mine 'totally unacceptable'.

Lord Deben said: “There’s no doubt whatsoever that allowing this coal mine undermines our international ability to lead the world to a solution, which alone will stop this existential threat of climate change.”

Responding, energy minister Lord Callanan told peers: “We are committed to phasing out coal from our electricity production by 2024. In 2021, coal formed less than 2 per cent of our electricity generation.”

He pointed out Germany last year generated 31 per cent of its electricity from coal last year, compared to 1.8 per cent in the UK, and the country was in the process of opening up new mines.

The Tory frontbencher said in approving the mine in Cumbria, the Secretary of State had 'carefully considered' the different factors including the demand for coal, climate change and the impact on the local economy.

Once the Bill has cleared the Lords it will go to the Commons where MPs will consider the changes made by the unelected chamber.