The government has confirmed that a decision on an application for an underground mine that would be located on a brownfield site south-west of Whitehaven will be made on or before 8 November 2022.
A decision on the application, which was the subject of a Public Inquiry in September 2021 was expected on or before 17 August 2022.
The Government said:
"This is a complex matter and officials are not yet in a position to complete their considerations prior to providing advice to Ministers. In these circumstances, given the imminent decision date, an additional period of time is required. Planning ministers will therefore not be in a position to reach a decision on this application by the previously notified date".