The Annesley Bentinck Mine group hopes to use excavated soil from a scheme to widen the M1 motorway between junctions 28 and 25 to fill in the Kirkby tip site.

Bentinck is currently the subject of controversial plans by Waste Recycling Group to turn the former pit between Annesley Woodhouse and Selston into a giant landfill site.

But the Selston Area Residents' Association, which is fighting to block plans for the landfill site, has this week criticised the soil plan despite initially supporting the scheme last month.

Said Selston councillor and group member Gail Turner: "I was initially in favour of this plan. I was misled into thinking the plan was all about refurbishing Bentinck Void when I supported it, but that is clearly not the case.

"The soil will just part-fill the lagoons and as a result will cause health and safety problems and will dramatically reduce the lagoons' capacity to absorb water when it rains heavily. Water will run off onto nearby roads and houses and cause problems.

"It is very disappointing news for our group and we feel let down. We thought we had made a step in the right direction but that is not the case."

The group is now also renewing its calls to have the site turned into an area of Special Scientific Interest.

Added Coun Turner: "The wildlife that is down on the site is unbelievable and we are still pushing for the site to become one of Special Scientific Interest.

"We believe we have a very good case and we will be putting our argument forward very strongly. This site has got a lot of potential and can be turned into something very positive for the whole community."