Cllr Iain Lindley's Diary

I’ve talked in some length on this site already about Labour’s daft proposals to build 1000 houses on greenfield land at Burgess Farm in Walkden.

This evening I’ve been discussing with my Conservative Council colleagues the equally-barmy proposals the Labour Council have put forward in the draft Core Strategy to bulldoze 40 hectares of Green Belt land at Barton Moss for industrial use.

Green Belt land is both the green lungs of our local communities and also provides a buffer between built-up areas. The development of 40 hectares of Green Belt would remove the open space between Peel Green and Irlam entirely. The industrial land would be created either by removing Grade 1 agricultural land from by the airport, or alternatively – according to briefings from officers – bulldoze Boysnope Park Golf Club.

Secondly, of course, the question arises of access to this proposed new site. The A57 already operates well above capacity at peak periods. You can add to this the traffic created by the now-approved Port Salford development, the Reds Stadium and an expanded City Airport Manchester. I have my doubts that the upgraded highway can cope with that additional traffic, never mind that created by 40 hectares of industry and warehousing.

Don’t forget that local residents can have their say on these proposals – visit the Council website to make your comments or alternatively visit one of the consultation events.