Homes can be built on Big Pit as decision is overturned by inspector
Campaigners say they are devastated by decision
It’s not just the people living near there, there’s the wildlife, we saw a heron there not even four weeks ago.
BIG PIT in Hinckley will be filled in to make way for 60 homes after the Government overturned the decision to refuse permission for the development.
Orbit Group Ltd took Hinckley and Bosworth Borough Council’s refusal to the Planning Inspectorate, who said the controversial development can go ahead.
The inspectorate also ordered that the council pay Orbit Group Ltd’s costs for the appeal.
The lake, which is a former clay pit, sits behind the Asda supermarket and is bordered by Ashby Road Cemetery and gardens of existing properties.
The decision has devastated local residents who have campaigned against the development for more than six years.
Ann Pendlebury, member of the Big Pit Resistance Group, said: “Devastated is the only word but it’s not over yet.
“It’s not just the people living near there, there’s the wildlife, we saw a
heron there not even four weeks ago. “There’s also the cemetery nearby and the construction will cause major disruption.
“We’re planning to hold a meeting for local residents to explain the conditions of development on the site and we will be keeping a close eye on the site.”
Liberal Democrat councillor for the area, Michael Mullaney, supported the campaign groups.
He said: “This is devastating news, the Big Pit site is a totally wrong place to build houses. Properties in the area experience flooding already and there is real fears that building on the Big Pit will worsen problems with flooding locally.
“We have fought these plans for years and we continue to believe this is not a suitable place for development.”
The report describes the site as “very overgrown with self-set trees and brambles” and says there are “more mature trees along the southern, eastern and south-western boundaries”.
It acknowledges that since the pit has been drained it has again partially filled with water.
Five trees will be cut down as part of the works.
The report also reveals that up to 75,000 cubic metres of soils, subsoils and clays would need to be brought to the site to infill the pit – a process that could take up to a year to complete.
Nigel Harrison, planning inspector, visited the site in November ahead of making a decision. He said: “I am satisfied the proposal would represent a satisfactory form of development having regard to the living conditions of future residents and the character and appearance of the surrounding area.
“It would also result in a more efficient use of the site and would contribute to the housing need of the borough in an accessible location within the urban area.
“I find it would amount to a sustainable form of development that would satisfy the policies of the development plan and the Framework when taken as a whole.”
Orbit Group Ltd were asked to provide a comment but had not responded at the time of publication.