Hucknall has seen an exponential growth in housing recently. The
infrastructure is already at maximum capacity. There has been no
increase in secondary schools, doctors or dentists. Hucknall used
to be surrounded by green fields and wooded areas, these are slowly
being eroded and the use of the Whyburn Farm land including the
potential removal of the Misk Hills will detrimentally change the
characteristic of the town. The public footpaths criss-crossing
this land are a refuge for the residents of Hucknall as was
demonstrated during the pandemic. The area is used by families,
social groups such as walking groups, cyclists and nature lovers.
The area is also the natural habitat for hedgehogs, newts, Deer,
Bats, Badgers, foxes, buzzards and other raptors including the Red
Kite.
The land in question already acts as an absorbent buffer in times
of heavy rain, reducing the incidences of flooding in the town
centre. Covering the land with buildings, block paving, tarmac etc
will surely reduce the ability of the land to protect the town from
flooding. The council have seen fit to implement a Tree
Preservation Order on a brown field site within the proposed area,
yet this proposal would strip acres of designated greenbelt
land
The Misk Hills are of historical interest having been the
inspiration for some of Lord Byron's works, particularly ' The
Hills of Annesley'
The area is also mentioned by the famous local author D.H.Lawrence
in Sons and Lovers and the works of poet Alan Sillitoe.
This ePetition ran from 27/09/2021 to 16/11/2021 and has now finished.
3504 people signed this ePetition.