VILLAGE calm was disrupted temporarily on Saturday (April 3) in an attempt to maintain peace and quiet in the long-term.

Around 150 villagers, horseriders and tractor drivers made their way through Simister Village to protest against a proposed business development in neighbouring Bowlee.

The Middleton West Business Park is being proposed under Rochdale Council's unitary development plan and a public inquiry will take place on April 19 in the town.

However, residents in Simister fear the development will have an impact on traffic in the village as the plans include converting Red Brick Lane into a road linking Windermere Road, Langley, to Heywood Old Road. Red Brick Lane is situated directly opposite Blue Ball Lane, a dirt track which provides unofficial access to Simister Village.

The protest walk was organised by Simister Village Community Association in conjunction with Simister and Prestwich Bridleways Association and local farmers.

Hannah Knaggs, secretary of the bridleways association, said: "We were really pleased with the turnout. We had around 150 people, ten tractors and ten horses, with banners saying "Save Our Countryside".

"Everyone demonstrated great community spirit by getting together for the same cause and it was good to see some people from the village who we didn't expect."

The protesters travelled along Simister Lane, down Blue Ball Lane, across Heywood Old Road and onto Red Lane where they met up with residents from Bowlee.

Miss Knaggs added: "Our involvement started when protesters from Bowlee contacted the community association for support. When we looked into it we realised just what an effect it would have on Simister. Obviously we are concerned about the impact increased traffic will have on the village but also it will mean losing yet another greenfield site."

A representative from Simister Village Community Association, Pete Cowie, is expected to speak at the public inquiry on behalf of the group.