A PETITION in favour of plans for an opencast mine in the National Forest has attracted more than 500 signatures, as supporters highlight the benefits they claim the scheme would bring.
Measham and Ashby Canal Enthusiasts group (MACE) was set up little over a week ago to support UK Coal’s plan to mine coal and fireclay at the former Minorca Colliery site, off Gallows Lane, Measham.
John Bricknell, one of the group’s founders, said the campaign had already prompted 30 letters to be sent to Peter Bond, the principal planning officer for the scheme for Leicestershire County Council, which is due to reach a decision on the application next month.
Mr Bricknell claimed his campaign, set up in opposition to the existing Minorca Opencast Protest Group (MOPG), which opposes the scheme, had struck a chord with the ‘silent majority’ in Measham.
He reiterated the benefits he said would come from UK Coal’s pledge to put £1.28 million towards restoration of the Ashby Canal, from its current terminus at Snarestone to Ilott Wharf, south of Measham, if its plan is approved.
He said: “The good work done so far by the local authority and the canal societies will stop at Snarestone unless more money is available.
“We must be realistic and realise that the Government is unlikely to help out due to massive cuts, so it is important we take every opportunity to grab something which will be of long-lasting benefit to Measham and the National Forest.
“I urge the residents of Measham and surrounding areas to come forward by contacting Peter Bond by letter or email and prove to him that there really is a silent majority who would rather take this incredible offer from UK Coal and not forgo the very real possibility of our canal, for another 10 years or more.” Mr Bricknell said work at other former opencast sites owned by UK Coal, notably at Hicks Lodge, near Donisthorpe, provided evidence of the ‘excellent work’ the company had done in restoring the sites.
A total of 900,000 tonnes of coal was extracted from the site over a period of four and a half years, but it has now been restored with the creation of trees, hedgerows and lakes.
Mr Bricknell said: “The restoration team that UK Coal has is one of the best in the country and they have won awards for their work. The site at Hicks Lodge is beautiful and anyone who says it’s not is stupid.
“If the Minorca plan is refused, UK Coal will probably win on appeal anyway, and the money they would have spent on the canal will be lost, as it will go on their appeal.” Mr Bricknell claims the value to the Ashby Canal restoration of the UK Coal scheme amounts to £2.5 million, including £1.28 million in cash or work in kind towards digging the canal, the provision of a winter storage lake needed for it and provision of free puddle clay needed to line it.
