The MP for Worsley and Eccles has praised the decision to pause plans to rip up a stretch of Salford greenbelt to build houses and offices.
Michael Wheeler backed a campaign by residents against Wigan Council’s controversial Bridgewater West proposal, which earmarked a strip of countryside between Boothstown and Astley for development.
Almost 2,000 residents in Salford and Wigan signed an open letter he wrote to councillors asking them to protect the area containing multiple public rights of way and a bridleway.
At a meeting on Tuesday 19 November, Wigan Council’s cabinet decided to shelve the controversial proposal and take note of residents’ negative feedback.
Mr Wheeler praised the decision to put the plan on ice, but maintained that further work must be done to protect the rural area from brownfield development.
He said: “I welcome Wigan Council’s decision to pause the Local Plan after listening to residents in Astley, Boothstown & Mosley Common. This means the proposal will not be going to Full Council later this month, and the Green Belt site known as Bridgewater West will remain protected for now.
“This is a welcome outcome, but not a final one. It is critically important that Wigan Council use the time provided by the pause to listen to local residents and act on what they hear.
“I want to express my sincere thanks to the 1,797 residents who co-signed my letter to Wigan Councillors. This shows how strongly our community feels about safeguarding the Green Belt, and how powerful it is when residents come together to stand up for the places we value. Your support made a real difference, and it is because of our collective effort that the Council has paused the process.
The Member of Parliment for Worsley and Eccles added: I am also grateful for the hard work of Councillors Barry Taylor, Christine Roberts, Jess Eastoe and Joanne Marshall. Working alongside them has been vital in achieving this positive outcome for our area.
“I am proud of what we have achieved together and will continue to monitor this closely to ensure that any future proposals genuinely work for all of us.”
Image courtesy of ‘Save Astley and Boothstown Greenbelt’
While this is not the culmination of his fight to save the greenbelt stretch, the cabinet’s decision is a welcome return after months of protests by residents. In May, angry locals marched across the site when plans for the development were revealed.
Poor access, urbanisation, unaffordable housing and risk to wildlife are among the points Mr Wheeler raised against the proposal he feels will harm Lapwings, Yellowhammers and wild deer living on the land.
Councillor Christine Roberts and Councillor Barry Taylor, Astley Ward, Wigan Council, hailed the “tenacity and determination” shown by residents throughout their campaign.
In a joint statement, they said: We welcome this for Astley and all other areas included in it. However, we vow to continue the fight to keep our beautiful Astley village in the greenbelt.”
Recent Comments