Owners of land at the former Bentinck Colliery spoil tip in Kirkby are beginning work with Nottinghamshire County Council and Natural England, the Government's advisers on the natural environment, to explore the sympathetic restoration of the site.

This has been prompted by the Council's decision to withdraw four enforcement notices which were served on landowners Broomco and Viridor in February last year. This move will enable restoration proposals to be explored which are appropriate to the recent designation of much of the former colliery spoil tip as a Site of Special Scientific Interest (SSSI).

The site was given SSSI status for its grassland habitats and outstanding range of native amphibians including a breeding population of great crested newts.

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County Councillor Richard Butler, Cabinet Member for Environment and Sustainability said: "We are pleased that discussions between ourselves and the landowners are now underway to agree a suitable restoration scheme for the site following the necessary consultation. It’s a decade now since the pit actually closed.

"The landowners have also said that they're keen to work with us and Natural England to ensure that the site is suitably and sustainably restored.

"In the light of the site's SSSI designation and to secure Natural England's support, we've decided that removing the notices is the best route to enable potential restoration options to be discussed between all parties."

Following the colliery's closure in 2000, restoration had been delayed because proposals were put forward to restore the site through landfilling. However, these applications were refused planning permission in March last year and enforcement notices had been served in relation to the breach of conditions relating to site restoration.

The end of the landfill application process and the SSSI designation has led to a reassessment of the requirements of the enforcement notices and the potential restoration options now achievable at the site.

(CD/KMcA)