CONTROVERSIAL opencast mining activities could be cut because of profitability worries.

After a public inquiry last year, developers UK Coal were given the green light to mine the mountainous old colliery slag heaps which are a landmark on Atherton and Tyldesley's border with Little Hulton.

Part of the vast Cutacre site -- known to many as The Bluebell rucks-- might become a business park now UK Coal has entered into alternative discussions with Salford Council.

New proposals would result in UK Coal salvaging 125,000 tons of coal from the huge mounds of coal waste -- a small fraction of the useable fuel which was years ago discarded along with millions of tons of material mined at local collieries. Originally UK Coal hoped to reclaim over a million tons from the site.

Industrial estate

They also want to convert an 80 hectare (approximately 200 acres) portion of the site into a new industrial estate.

Over Hulton Anti-Opencast Group secretary John Booth said: "There are people who have been fighting this cause for 20 years who would be very pleased to see these revised plans in action.

"If the plans go ahead we would also love to see woodlands planted to improve the area."

Original plans included a £m rail link to transport coal from the site but Railtrack has since said it would have to set up another rail link costing £7m-plus.

Opencast mining was expected to start next spring.