Coal company threatens to sue Welsh borough if mine permit is denied

Miller Argent warns it intends to recover all application costs if Caerphilly council blocks its plans for controversial opencast mine

A coal company is threatening to sue one of the most deprived boroughs in Wales for "substantial" costs if councillors refuse permission for a giant opencast coal mine.

In June, councillors on Caerphilly county borough council's planning committee unanimously rejected a recommendation by their planning officers to allow Miller Argent to exploit 6m tonnes of coal at Nant Llesg, near Rhymney, but deferred a final decision until Wednesday.