The future of the historic Brinsley Headstocks will be decided in a meeting next week.
The headstocks were dismantled in December last year over safety fears and since then, campaigners have sought to get the famous structure back.
For Brinsley residents they were also a symbol of the village and a reminder of the once dominant local mining industry. Much of the original timber in structure had been replaced following a series of repairs, although a few pieces remained along with some of the original ironwork.
Some of the timber and all of the ironwork were recovered and taken to a Kimberley depot to be safely stored.
Broxtowe Borough Council will now decide whether to approve a direct replacement of the headstocks with an oak frame structure, a direct replacement with a steel structure, an interactive art piece replacement or hear of any other suitable options.
A replacement with an oak frame will cost the council between £170,000 to £220,000 and then six monthly £500 inspections whereas replacing it with a steel structure would cost between £240,000 to £280,000 with a yearly £500 engineer report.
Other maintenance costs would also be required at various points with these two options.
Replacing the structure with a ground-level interactive art piece would cost anywhere between £20,000 and £50,000 and would involve working with a local artist to capture the cultural and historical importance of the site.
Running from May 7 until May 31 this year, Brinsley Headstocks consultation distributed questionnaires across the borough and received 747 responses.
A significant 70 per cent of respondents said they would prefer for a complete timber replacement, with 12 per cent preferring a steel replacement, 14 per cent choosing an art installation and four per cent choosing ‘Other’.
A report for the council’s Cabinet reads: “The second most popular option supported by 14 per cent of respondents, could be considered.
“Whilst it is acknowledged that this alternative was not the most popular choice and would not result in a physical structure like the replacement in timber, it presents a more sustainable outcome both environmentally and economically.
“Repurposing the materials in an art installation aligns with the principles of sustainability and creative reuse, offering a unique way to preserve the heritage of the headstocks, whilst engaging with the community in a meaningful way.”
The decision over the famous structure’s future will be decided in the council’s Cabinet meeting next Tuesday (July 16).
