Bloomfield open-cut mine near Maitland is seeking approval to clear seven hectares of endangered gum forest to make way for powerlines and other electrical supply equipment.

The request to clear 11hectares of bush including seven hectares of ‘‘spotted gum-ironbark forest endangered ecological community’’ is part of an application to modify a Bloomfield approval granted in November last year.

The modification application on the Planning NSW website is dated December 2009.

As well as building the powerline and its ‘‘associated infrastructure’’, Bloomfield wants to dump more than 1.3million cubic metres of waste overburden at three ‘‘out of pit’’ sites within the mine boundaries.

Bloomfield says the development poses ‘‘minimal environmental impacts’’ and would ‘‘improve rehabilitation and final landform outcomes’’.

But Cessnock councillor and environmentalist James Ryan said that the ‘‘creeping destruction’’ of the spotted gum forest was a concern whenever it was proposed.

‘‘Even though lots of people in Kurri grew up riding their trail bikes through it or cutting it down for pit props, this forest has become increasingly fragmented,’’ Cr Ryan said.

‘‘The smaller the remaining parcels the greater the edge effects. Thirty blocks of 100hectares is not the same as one contiguous site of 3000hectares.’’

The Bloomfield plans are on display until today.