Residents and Councillors put case to save Hinckley Environmental asset
A Public Hearing was held in Hinckley on the 24th July into the future of the Big Pit nature feature in Hinckley.
The Big Pit is considered an environmental asset, by many residents in Hinckley. It is a water feature, almost a lake, behind Ashby Road in Hinckley.
An applicant has proposed to fill in the Big Pit and build houses on the site.
This has provoked huge opposition from local residents and Hinckley Lib Dem Councillors. The plans to build on the Big Pit were opposed by both Hinckley and Bosworth Borough Council and Leicestershire County Council.
So the applicant appealed to a government Inspector for permission to build on the site.
The Inspector held a second Public Hearing into the case on July 24th and there was a big turnout of local residents and Councillors.
Michael Mullaney Lib Dem County Councillor for Hinckley said "Residents came with real concerns about what would happen if the Big Pit were to be filled in. There are worries about the sheer number of lorry movements along Ashby Road it would take to fill in the Big Pit, and the noise and dust that would come with those lorry movements.
"Many residents raised worries about the risk of flooding in the area being increased if the Big Pit was filled in. And many residents consider the Big Pit to be an environmental asset that needs protecting.
"Hinckley Lib Dem Councillors Jeff Bannister, David Bill, Bron Witherford and myself all spoke at the meeting on the need to protect the Big Pit and the risks that would come if it were filled in.
"I hope the Inspector took on board the large number of concerns raised by residents and Councillors at the Hearing. I hope when he makes his decision the Inspector will oppose the plans to build on the Big Pit, and support keeping this environmental asset in Hinckley."