Snibston Discovery Museum: Judge rejects closure challenge

The council wants aims to keep a mining museum at the former colliery

A challenge to a council's plans to downsize a museum has been rejected.

Leicestershire County Council wants to close 75% of Snibston Discovery Museum near Coalville by the end of July to save millions in subsidies.

Campaigners told a Judicial Review the related consultation was a "foregone conclusion", while the authority insisted the process had been fair.

Mr Justice Blake backed the council and indicated he would not allow any further appeal.

Snibston currently has activities based around science and industry, as well as its mining heritage.

'Incredible' decision

The council, which is aiming to make cuts of more than £86m by 2019, has said reducing the size of Snibston could save £9.4m over 25 years.

But the Friends of Snibston claim it would bring in far more to the local economy over the same period.

The two-day hearing in the High Court in London heard Kerry Bretherton, QC, for Friends of Snibston, insist the council had gone into the process with a "closed mind".

But Richard Clayton QC, for the authority, rejected suggestions it had not offered enough options for the museum, saying this would have involved "making up ideas just to knock them down".

In his judgment Mr Justice Blake said the council had "carried out its duties and responsibilities correctly".

A spokesman for the council said it welcomed the judgement and would now proceed as planned.

Brian Voller, chair of Friends of Snibston, called the decision "incredible" and said they were considering going to the Court of Appeal.