Scheme to transform Huntington ex-colliery into reserve
A former colliery once mined by hundreds of workers may be transformed into a nature reserve under an ambitious new plan revealed today.
A meeting will take place tomorrow about the future of Littleton Colliery at Huntington when the Coal Authority will meet with local MPs and councillors about the project.
Supporting the plans for the site, which is next to Shoal Hill Common, part of Cannock Chase and an area of Outstanding Natural Beauty, is MP Gavin Williamson.
He said: "This could be a wonderful opportunity to create a wildlife corridor. Over the past century, this site has provided much prosperity to the area and now we welcome any discussions to ensure we preserve this land for future generations."
David Williams, councillor for Huntington and Hatherton, who is also backing the plan, said: "I welcome this opportunity to allow a nature reserve to be sited on this area.
"After the extraction of coal from this area for many years it is fitting that we allow it to revert to a natural state and give something back to an environment that has given us so much."
Littleton Colliery ceased production in 1993 and has since been levelled but its spoil heap, now covered by grass and scrub, remains relatively untouched.
