Government set to make decision on UK's largest coalmine

Verdict expected after four years of protracted talks as production of the fossil fuel fell to record lows of 2.9m tonnes

Ministers will decide this month whether to give the green light to plans for the UK's largest coalmine after years of fierce opposition from environmentalists.

A letter from the government's lawyers, seen by the Guardian, said the government will draw a line on the protracted battle to develop an opencast mine at Highthorn in Northumberland by giving a verdict on the plans by Tuesday 7 April.