Everris Ltd had their planning application for Lochwood Moss turned down by Dumfries and Galloway Council earlier this year.
But they have now turned to Ministers for permission to continue working the site until July 2030, but also say they will take a five year extension to 2025.
In their appeal statement, the firm say they do not accept the local authority’s reasoning as it is ‘not based on hard evidence’.
They argue that peat extraction does not result in significant environmental impacts; and has net below-zero carbon emissions.
And they point out that Lochwood Moss will be restored to peatland on cessation of extraction.
The firm has also submitted their plans for restoring the area.
However, campaigners have started an online petition against the appeal.
James Pattison posted the campaign on the change.org website, where it has got 149 signatures.
He said: “Scottish Government policy is to protect peatlands because of their vital role in reducing global warming. The extraction of peat requires the removal of a bog’s living surface to reach the partially decomposed layers beneath.
“It grows at a mere 16th of an inch a year, and its mining removes layers that take centuries to develop. Peat is the best vegetative carbon sink we have on the planet.”
