CAMPAIGNERS have been thrown a lifeline in their fight to save a wildlife haven from developers.

Residents and local environment supporters were celebrating this week after the Greater Manchester Ecology Unit designated Barracks Lodge as a Grade A site of biological importance.

The classification provides stronger protection for the lodge at the rear of Newington Drive, Bury, and it could now spell the end of Stately Development Ltd's long fight to build new homes on the site.

However, campaigners and council chiefs are being advised not to rely too heavily on the Grade A classification to save the lodge.

Bury Council's wildlife officer, Mr Dave Dutton, said: "The fight to protect Barracks Lodge from development is far from over.

"The SBi designation is covered by Bury's Unitary Development Plan which, in short, states that planning permission will be granted on a Grade A site if the proposed development is of greater value than the presence of wildlife.

"I expect Stately to try and prove this."

The Grade A category identifies the lodge as a site of county-wide importance. The designation follows a recent council-led wildlife survey on the lodge which identified five species of amphibian, including the internationally protected Great Crested Newt, living on the site.

If Stately win the right to build 16 houses, the company must then apply to the Government for a licence to destroy the Great Crested Newts' habitat.

Mr Dutton said: "To get this, Stately would have to prove that they have no alternative but to build on the site."

Welcoming the Grade A classification, leading campaigner and local environmentalist Mr Mick Wellock said: "This is the best thing that could ever happen and it is what we have been fighting for.

"If Stately's bosses were honourable people they would pull out of this scheme. All along they have claimed there was no biological importance attached to Barracks Lodge. They have been proven to be wrong.

"Sadly, I believe they will take the fight to the bitter end but so will we. It is not over just yet."

Over the last 12 months, Stately have been accused of systematically destroying the lodge by hacking down trees and reducing the water level in a bid to prove the site is of no significance to wildlife.

The company pulled out of a public inquiry in January, leading to fears from campaigners that it would re-submit their rejected planning scheme later in the year. Only three weeks ago, Stately re-submitted an identical development application.

Conservative councillor Roy Walker, who has also strongly opposed Stately's plans for the lodge, believes the planning committee must turn down the latest application.

He said: "Stately has done nothing that has endeared the council to their development. They are the worst developers I have come across in 26 years in terms of the vandalism, destruction and trespass their workers have carried out.

"Even if planning permission is refused I expect Stately will appeal and call for a public inquiry.

"I will not be at ease until Stately either pull out once and for all or every channel open to them has been slammed shut."

Praising the stance made by Bury Council and the campaigners, Bury North MP David Chaytor said the SBi designation was a "great reward" for their hard work in protecting Barracks Lodge.

He added: "I hope the fact that the Lodge has now been designated a Grade A Site of Biological Importance will strengthen the determination of local residents and the council to oppose the latest planning application to build on the site."