Residents Close To UK’s Largest Opencast Coalmine Devastated At Ongoing Work

People living next to the UK’s largest opencast coalmine have said they are “devastated” by plans to keep it working.

Coal extraction at Ffos-y-Fran in Merthyr Tydfil had been set to stop in September after 15 years.

But the owners hope to persuade the local council to let it keep going.

Merthyr (South Wales) Ltd said it wanted to continue supplying the steel industry with Welsh coal.

The firm claimed there were insufficient funds set aside to restore the 1,000 acre (407 hectare) site as planned and time to develop and consult on a revised proposal was needed.

It has initially applied for a nine-month extension.