Stretching the meaning of the word "local"

I see from The Guardian this morning that the first so-called "local" protest against the Woodhouse Colliery planning decision is being held today in Penrith.

For those not familiar with the geography of Cumbria that is 45 miles and an hour's drive away.

The people quoted in the article as "local" objectors are not exactly just round the corner, either. Some are from South Lakeland, on the other side of Cumbria.

None of the objectors quoted are from the Whitehaven area, or even from Copeland borough. 

Two of the "local" objectors quoted can legitimately claim connection with the new Cumberland authority area which will include Whitehaven. One lives in between Aspatria and Wigton, 26 miles and 40 minutes' drive from the Woodhouse Colliery site, the other appears to have a home in the Loweswater / Cockermouth area, probably a little over half an hour's drive away.

So the objectors are really stretching the meaning of the word "local."

People within a half-hour radius of the proposal - and more of the rest of Cumbria than you might think from all the noise made by the protestors - are very supportive of the proposal.

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