Reprieve for Pewit land

Fears that land earmarked for nature would be sold for housing were allayed last night.
181 people against the plan travelled to Long Eaton Town Hall where an Erewash scrutiny committee meeting took place. A free bus had been laid on by objectors.
Council leader James Dawson said the executive would discuss the matter again and see if officers made any fresh suggestions.
“It was never a done deal, it was the start of a process and we have always said we wanted to be transparent. We are a listening council and we have listened,” said councillor Dawson
The meeting had initially been held in Ilkeston but too many people turned up to hear the debate. So council officers arranged for it to be transferred to Long Eaton town hall which has more public space.
Conservative opposition leader Wayne Major said he feared the original sales plan could have “eroded the public perception of the planning process.”
He told the scrutiny committee: “It is a sensible decision to listen to the public.”
Former tory leader Carol Hart hoped to see the sales plan dropped permanently. She warned: “I don’t want to see this decision changed. The crunch comes when it goes to the full council.”
Derbyshire Wildlife Trust’s advocacy manager Scott Blance said: “This is an excellent outcome.
“We now sincerely hope the council will revoke the decision in full and deliver the Pewit nature reserve in its entirety.”
Full report in the next Ilkeston Life paper.


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