Hucknall Councillors take inspiration from classic Byron poem as they lodge formal objection to Misk Hills housing development

Hucknall's Ashfield Independent District Councillors have submitted a formal objection to 100 houses being built on the Misk Hills.

Aldergate Property Group proposed the development of up to 130 houses on the greenbelt land in February. They then opened up a 14-day consultation period for local residents to have their say about the plans.

Now the councillors are having their say on the controversial proposals and they have taken inspiration from a classic piece of literary work to help shape their objection.

Within their submission, Councillors Jim Blagden, Trevor Locke, Dave Shaw, Lee Waters and John Wilmott included Lord Byron's 1805 love poem 'Hills of Annesley' which heavily references the Misk Hills throughout.

It is not the only piece of literature that mentions the Misk Hills, as D. H. Lawrence's autobiographical novel Sons and Lovers also references them.

 The Councillors have opposed the controversial development labelling Misk Hills "…a Heritage Asset" and expressed concern about the lack of infrastructure, school places and access to healthcare provision.

Image courtesy of Ashfield Independents.

Councillor Dave Shaw said: "As a keen historian, we felt it appropriate to republish Lord Byron's love idyll to illustrate the historic value of Misk Hills in our objections. 

"Developers want to chuck 100 houses on this historic site – it is offensive. It is something all Ashfield Independent Councillors vehemently oppose and we look forward to speaking against these plans at the Council's planning committee."

Councillor Jim Blagden said: "Hucknall's Ashfield Independent Councillors have been very vocal about opposing any development without the appropriate infrastructure. We have cited gridlocked and broken roads, poor access to GPs and NHS dentists and the pressure on schools in our objection. 

"The developers also comprehensively fail to demonstrate the 'exceptional need' to build on green belt. I have been a councillor on and off for over 30 years – it's the first time we've used a poem or mentioned DH Lawrence to illustrate our objections to a planning application."