Big Pit protest meeting

ORBIT Homes have submitted a pre-application enquiry to build 60 homes following infill operations on the Big Pit.

The notice has been sent into Hinckley and Bosworth Borough Council as a precursor to a formal planning bid.

Campaigners still hoping to prevent development at the former nature spot are gathering evidence to show the site is spring fed.

This means no matter how many times the pool is drained it will always refill and if these springs are blocked the water will simply drain elsewhere, potentially posing a flooding risk.

Members of the Bit Pit Resistance Group, which has an active Facebook page, want to present this information, now more formally obtained, to planning officers.

They are holding a meeting on Friday January 6 from 6.30pm at the Ashby Tavern to give residents a chance to air their views and concerns.

Permission to fill in the old clay quarry was granted last year on appeal after an initial refusal by Leicestershire County Council and significant public protest.

The decision also gave the green light to an outline proposal for residential development.

The site, sandwiched between Ashby Road, the cemetery and the Asda supermarket, has lain idle for 12 months.

In November Orbit housing association confirmed it had agreed to buy the land. Surveying has been ongoing and following the preapplication notices, which enquire about Section 106 contributions, a formal detailed planning application is expected soon.

Orbit have said they will hold a public consultation event prior to the application being submitted.