Public hearing told “Save Hinckley’s Big Pit”

A public hearing held in Hinckley was told how vital it is to save a threatened environmental asset in the town.

There have been plans to fill in and build on the Big Pit water feature behind Ashby Road in Hinckley.

In the past a number of applications to both Hinckley and Bosworth Borough Council and the County Council to fill in and build on the Big Pit have been turned down, following campaigns by local residents and councillors.

The latest plans to fill in and build on the Big Pit were voted down by County Councillors in January.

The applicant has appealed this decision and the appeal is being considered by a government Inspector, who held a Public Hearing in Hinckley to hear local people's views.

Among the speakers for saving the Big Pit at the Hearing were numerous local residents and Hinckley Liberal Democrat Councillors.

Michael Mullaney Lib Dem County Councillor for Hinckley said "As one of the two County Councillors for Hinckley I have been contacted by many residents on this issue.

"The proposal to fill in the Big Pit and build houses there is opposed by residents for many reasons.

"Firstly the Big Pit site is considered an important environmental asset in that part of Hinckley. There are ducks and other wildlife on the site and only on the morning of the Hearing did David Bill and I see wildlife around the site.

"Another concern residents have raised is the sheer number of lorry movements along Ashby Road, that would be needed to fill in an area the size of the Big Pit and the associated noise and dust that would be created by these.

"The plans to fill in the Big Pit and build houses in this area have been opposed by the Borough Council, the County Council, 250 residents who signed a petition and many more who wrote in to call for the Big Pit to be saved.

"I hope that this Appeal will reach the same decision and save the Big Pit."