UK COAL has been told it must return two former Selby mine sites to agricultural use, following several attempts from the company to leave the land open for development.

Residents in Wistow and Stillingfleet have been campaigning for the former mining sites in their villages to be restored to their original pre-mining condition for more than three years.

When the planning application for the mine complex was originally granted in the 1970s, a condition was imposed that the sites should be returned to agricultural use when mining ceased.

Since the mines’ closure in 2004, villagers have campaigned hard for this return to agricultural use.

UK Coal applied for a change of use at the sites in 2005, but Selby District Council planners turned down the application.

A subsequent appeal was mounted by the coal company, but was later withdrawn.

The company then applied to North Yorkshire County Council, as the mineral authority, to delay the requirement to return the land to its former use.

Now, the county council’s planning and regulatory functions committee has refused that application.

Coun Liz Casling, who represents Riccall and Escrick on Selby District Council and the county council, said villagers in Stillingfleet and Wistow had been battling for years for the sites to be returned to agricultural use.

“It’s a massive decision,” she said. “I remember protesting as a toddler with my parents about these mine sites – that’s how long it’s been going on.

“I think everyone is just pleased it’s eventually at an end.

“Mining ceased in 2005 and in the three years since then, UK Coal has been looking for alternative uses and prevaricating and making excuses.

“All local residents have wanted is for the land to be returned to agricultural use.

“They were promised this by the Government of the day when the original planning permission was granted.

Asked about the revelation earlier this month that a major financial institution had expressed an interest in setting up offices at the Wistow Mine site, she said: “I think this was more delaying tactics from UK Coal.

“Selby district has a large amount of development land already, at Escrick Business Park, the old Riccall Mine site and Olympia Park, and they’re all off the A19 or near Selby town.

“I don’t think we need any more developments – and Wistow Mine is eight miles off the road in the middle of nowhere.”

UK Coal was unavailable for comment at the time of going to press.