The deadline to sign the e-petition opposing the controversial proposals from Ashfield District Council to build 3000 houses on Whyburn Farm has been extended.

The e-petition was set to close today (Friday 12 November) but a server error this morning meant that much of Ashfield District Council's website went down preventing people from being able to sign.

It has now been agreed that the e-petition deadline will be extended until 11:45pm on Tuesday 16 November, which is actually slightly after the overall consultation deadline of 5pm on the same date.

Mandy Shaw, who started the e-petition, was filled with panic this morning when she realised there was a technical problem preventing people from signing.

Speaking exclusively to Hucknall Nub News, she said: "When it went down, I thought there will be people who have thought I'll do it tomorrow and then got to the last day and then they aren't going to be able to sign it and we're going to lose signatures."

However, swift work from the Democratic Services Department saw the problem resolved and an extension agreed.

Mrs Shaw was full of praise for Lynn Cain, from the Department who has dealt with the e-petition all the way through.

"She's been fabulous. She's been invaluable. She's just been there for every question really."

Mrs Shaw is currently collecting paper petitions that have been out in the community for the last few weeks so that they can all be handed in to Ashfield District Council together before the deadline.

She added: "It's been mad. Ask me where any street is in Hucknall and I think I might have driven down it today. The response has been amazing."

The e-petition currently has over 3000 signatures, anyone wishing to sign it, who hasn't already done so, can by clicking here and following the instructions given.