Campaign group formed to protect green belt land

DISMAY OVER PLANS TO BUILD HOUSING ESTATE NEAR M66

- By CHRIS GEE

A CAMPAIGN group has been set up after plans emerged for a huge new housing estate on green belt land next to the M66.

About 130 people, including all three North Manor ward councillors, attended the inaugural meeting of 'Action Walmersley' at Walmersley Conservative Club on Thursday evening.

The group's aim is to oppose proposals by Hollins Strategic Land (HSL), who have said they will shortly be submitting a planning application for a residential-led development at the 60-acre site at Walmersley Brook on the outskirts of Bury.

Much of the site’s border is just yards from the M66 carriageway and the northbound slip-road leading to Walmersley Road.

The meeting heard from resident Marie Holder, who was one of the event organisers. She said: “We've got to protect this land. It’s a green belt area. There's already been massive development in Walmersley recently but most of that was on brownfield sites.