Public meeting to save open land

The Friends of Cockey Moor, Whitehead's and Parker's Lodges argue that land to the south of Gisburn Drive has been in public use for more than a generation and want it to be given village green status.

Members of the group aim to raise £6,000 in legal fees, and will ask members of the public to attend a public inquiry on the matter.

The 15-acre slice of land belongs to property firm Walshaw Estates, who are the sole objectors to the bid.

In the past 12 months the land has been used to graze livestock and covered with paper pulp fertiliser.

In March signs were erected declaring the site was an army training camp, a claim denied by the Ministry of Defence.

The Friends group has now raised more than £2,000 in donations from individuals and organisations.

Support has included a £300 donation from Radcliffe Angling Society, who held a fund raising match during Bury Environment Week.

The group has already distributed 2,000 leaflets in the area in advance of the meeting, and is expecting a large turnout.

Friends chairman Mrs Elaine Shirt said: "We are very grateful for what has been contributed but we need more money to get the right legal team in place.

"We have had so much support, including donations from elderly people who have walked at the site since they were young and now want to preserve it for future generations.

"This is the last public meeting that we are going to have before the inquiry so we are asking everyone to get along and support us."

The group says it is expecting a public inquiry in the next few months.

A spokeswoman for Bury Council's legal services department said: "Between the objection being received and any public inquiry, a period for further consideration is allowed. Once that has expired, a procedural timetable will be issued regarding any public inquiry."

The meeting takes place at 11.am on Sunday, at Elton Vale Sports Club, to the rear of Chantlers Primary School.