A disused lake in a former quarry has been placed on the market, and could mean an expansion for the neighbouring watersports and activity centre. The Cemex property, off Pasture Lane, Long Eaton, has previously been a hotspot for anti-social behaviour with people breaking in to swim, blocking the road and causing disruption.
The 67-acre site is on the market by building materials firm Cemex for £350,000, reports Derbyshire Live. The Fisher German listing states: "The property extends to about 66.78 acres comprising a versatile and attractive lake, mixed deciduous woodland with glades and grassland in a ring fence. The property was previously utilised for mineral extraction and has been restored to provide a peaceful and nature-rich habitat well served by internal paths.
“For your own personal safety, we ask you to take great care and be as vigilant as possible when undertaking an inspection of the property.” The advert details that there are two access points off Pasture Lane and it is “easily accessible from both Derby and Nottingham” and “conveniently located close to Long Eaton and the M1 ”.
What three words would you use to describe Nottinghamshire? Let us know
Earlier this year Spring Lakes centre management, located next to the disused lake, explained they had had to send their own lifeguards over to the lake to rescue people in trouble in the water, and suspected it was a matter of time until a fatality.
As a landowner, Cemex said trespassers were not permitted, installing new signs, fencing and life buoys. The watersports centre had also said in February that it had asked Cemex if it could buy or rent the property in order to maintain safety.
However, it was reported that Cemex did not respond to them and would not comment on that line of inquiry when approached by the Local Democracy Reporting Service. A spokesperson for the watersports centre, which was set up in 2019, said: “Spring Lakes will be making a significant offer for the West Lake.
"We have also been in discussions with the Trent Windsurfing Club and have agreed, should we be successful, that we will negotiate a long-term lease for them, securing their future.” Cemex was approached for comment but has not responded as of this article’s publication.
In February, an Erewash Borough Council licensing hearing took place for the watersports site. Management had said noise and parking problems which some believe to be linked to the watersports centre were actually trespassers entering the neighbouring Cemex site, bringing down the watersports centre’s reputation.
Stephen Barnett, a director at Spring Lakes, had told the hearing: “People trespass on the lake opposite owned by the quarry company and people park everywhere, all over the grass verges, it is causing an ongoing nightmare for residents to deal with.” Richard Hill, co-owner of Spring Lakes, had told the hearing: “The complaints we have received are actually to do with people at the Cemex quarry site, it is generally those people causing problems.
"We have had to send lifeguards over to fetch people out of that lake, it is dangerous, and we have been in talks with Cemex to do something about it. People are breaking through the fence on a regular basis and going into the lake.
"HS2 was supposed to be going over the back of that lake so that’s why nothing has been done with it, but that has been scrapped now. There are open water swimming Facebook groups which list all the places you can swim free of charge and it has made it on to those lists.
"In its current state, someone is going to die on that site eventually.” Cemex had said: “Cemex takes its responsibilities as a landowner seriously.
"We have communicated previously that this is private land and trespassers are not permitted, and there is clear signage to this effect on site. We carry out regular boundary inspections and where necessary, repair, replace, and renew damaged fencing, signage and life buoys.
"These checks will be increasing as the weather improves, and during holiday periods. Any criminal damage is reported to the authorities. We would like to reiterate that quarry lakes are incredibly dangerous and not suitable for swimming – they present a real risk of cold water shock, unknown water depth, the possibility of unknown hazards and other debris beneath the water level.
"This site is not open to the public – please stay away.”
READ NEXT:
