The developer of the proposed Nant Llesg opencast mine has responded to objections with over 2,500 pages of information in support of the plans.
Nearly 150 official responses and more than 5,700 objections were received by Caerphilly County Borough Council regarding the planned mine between Fochriw and Rhymney.
The proposal to mine six million tonnes of coal on a 478 hectare site has also been met with protests and petitions against its impact on the environment and community.
Chris Austin, Secretary of United Valleys Action Group, has previously said the mine would “blight the future of the valley and the local communities of Rhymney, Pontlottyn and Fochriw”.
He said: “It’s 2,500 pages of information we have to go through on top the 3,500 page original application.
“We’ve been given 21 days from Thursday to respond, I’m going to ask the council for an extension as it would be impossible to through that in the time.”
The group are meeting on Thursday November 6 to discuss their response but Mr Austin said Miller Argent’s new information is full of “repetition” and filler”.
He said: “There’s a hell of a lot of rubbish we can come back on strongly. It’s there for the taking but we’ve got to put the work in.”
Mr Austin added they had not had a response from the Welsh Government on an application to have the planning decision called into the higher authority.
The response from the developer, Miller Argent, can be viewed at Pontllanfraith House council offices, as well as Rhymney, Bargoed, Deri and Nelson libraries and online.
Representations to the council on the additional information should be sent to Head of Regeneration and Planning, Caerphilly County Borough Council, Pontllanfraith House, Blackwood Road, Pontllanfraith, Blackwood, NP12 2Y, by November 27.
A spokesman for Caerphilly County Borough Council said: “While we will not be formally extending this deadline, the council will take into account comments received within a reasonable period following the deadline.”
Neil Brown, Managing Director of Miller Argent, said: “We are grateful for the comments we have received as they have allowed us to enhance the scheme further.
“Our submission runs to 2,500 pages because we feel that the scheme is vitally important to the regeneration of the area, and we wanted the Council to have as much information about the benefits of the scheme to make the best decision for the area.”