Protesters set up camp at Happendon Wood

The protesters arrived at the site on Sunday evening and began setting up the Happendon Wood Action Camp (THWAC) in response to a proposed mixed use development by the Scottish Resources Group, of which Scottish Coal is a part.

Although Scottish Coal has not yet declared an interest in opencasting, the protesters fear there is a real possibility of another opencast mine arriving in the Douglas Valley.

Jo Reed is one of the protesters on site.

She said: "South Lanarkshire's minerals plan highlights areas within the new development as having recoverable coal deposits that can be excavated during the current local plan."

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