During opencasting for coal. The area was later to become part of the Rother Valley Country Park. Opencasting of the 300ha site began in 1976, and removed a total of 1.7 million tonnes of high quality coal, the last being taken off site in 1981. The pit was 190 feet from top to bottom. Throughout this period public consultation on the final shape of the park continued with a Development Options report being published in 1977. Following extensive public consultations a Development Proposal was published in 1978 which shaped the final form of the park.