A LOCAL authority has urged a neighbouring council to follow its lead and oppose plans for an extension to the East Pit Opencast site at Tairgwaith.

Carmarthenshire planners were asked by Neath Port Talbot Council for their observations on Celtic Energy's application for an eastward extension towards Cwmllynfell and Cefnbrynbrain.

The company say the scheme would bring 130 or more jobs to the area.

A long-running debate by residents of the communities affected has seen many protests and public meeting. Objectors fear increased noise, traffic, health and safety problems and say the extension would be an eyesore.

Carmarthenshire planners, who objected to the application last year after a site visit, were asked to look at it again following amendments made by Celtic Energy.

Two letters of support for the plans and an 84-signature petition in favour were also considered. The petition, from UK Coal Mining Ltd, asked councillors to consider the future and livelihood of past and present employees as well as their families and dependants.

Many of the scheme's supporters are residents of Carmarthenshire. The Opencast Committee of Wales also back the extension as it would bring jobs and would mean an investment in the mining industry.

Celtic Energy told planners there would be strict control and monitoring of noise and dust levels, blasting and traffic, enforced by the council's mineral officers.

Planners objected because there would be no way of screening the extension from the road. It would also adversely effect residents; and disrupt neighbouring land. Approval would mean more isolation for communities badly affected by years of opencast mining, they said.