A Long Eaton watersports centre fears someone could die at a neighbouring quarry lake. It comes after the centre has repeatedly sent lifeguards to help trespassers struggling in the former quarry water.
The revelation was discussed during an Erewash Borough Council licensing hearing last week (February 9) for the Spring Lakes Watersports Centre in Pasture Lane. The centre's management said they had real concerns regarding the former Cemex quarry.
Derbyshire Live reports the management say there are frequently a large number of people trespassing on the Cemex site and causing anti-social behaviour by playing loud music and blocking the road with their vehicles.
Read more: Consultation launched on plans to turn former Ilkeston golf course into nature reserve
Management said noise and parking problems which some believe to be linked to the watersports centre are actually trespassers entering the neighbouring Cemex site, bringing down the watersports centre’s reputation, they say. Attempts have been made to talk to Cemex about the issues, including a request from the watersports centre to lease the neighbouring lake off the quarrying firm, so that it can be safely managed.
Watersports centre management fear it is only a matter of time before someone dies on the Cemex site after falling in the water with nobody around to save them, and with access restricted by trespassers. In response, a spokesperson for Cemex 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.” Stephen Barnett, a director at Spring Lakes, 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, 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.
“A company of Cemex’s size does not move very fast. We have asked about possibly leasing the lake a few weeks ago but we haven’t heard back.
“In its current state, something is going to die on that site eventually.” The licensing hearing was being held to discuss an application from the watersports centre for a premises licence allowing it to sell alcohol throughout the week and play music for scheduled events.
Management at the venue says this would simply save time and effort instead of applying for permission to do so every time a small group of people ask if they can have prosecco with their lunch. During the hearing, management made clear that there would not be regularly loud music being played at events, or regular events, with only one wakeboarding competition currently planned.
Music at events is currently played off two small speakers linked to mobile phones, one of which is simply an Alexa device. Management also revealed they were in the process of buying a plot known as Home Farm, which is a derelict array of industrial and agricultural buildings bordering the venue to the north.
This would be used for car parking and access to take vehicles off Pasture Lane and avoid any traffic issues this may be creating. The primary use of the premises licence would be to provide alcohol with meals people have booked at the venue, and there would be a complete zero-tolerance policy for anyone requesting alcohol before an activity.
Mr Barnett said: “I spent 20 years in the police and I have no desire to get back to rolling around on the floor with people who are in a drunken state. People will not be allowed to drink all day and night, drinking as much as they can, this is just people having drinks with their meals in the dining pods.
“We are not interested in people using us as a pub, it is not on our plan as a family-related facility. If people are caught having had drinks before they arrive they will not be allowed to participate and there is no refund.
“It is a case of ‘thanks for coming, if you come again, come sober’. We are not interested in hosting a Glastonbury-style event and playing music at 1,000 decibels which can be heard miles away.”
Mr Hill said: “We would be very cautious before any events. We will not let you be disturbed by noise at all.” After a 30-minute recess, the licensing panel approved the venue’s premises licence and applauded both the owners and residents for working together to address concerns.
READ NEXT:
I visited a Nottingham cafe boasting low prices and an impressive all-day breakfast
Long Eaton pub introduces food from 'world's smallest kitchen'
Fearless fox's adventure caught on camera at Nottingham's Attenborough Nature Reserve
Concern in Long Eaton as plans for nearly 50 new homes approved at old industrial site
