BURY is demanding tougher legal protection for under-threat wildlife sites in the wake of the Barracks Lodge controversy.

Town hall bosses want to see "listed building" status for sites of biological importance (SBIs) both locally and across Britain.

Councillor Derek Boden, council leader, is to lobby the Local Government Association with the support of Bury's MPs.

He cites the council's fight over Barracks Lodge in Bury, where developers have been accused by residents of deliberately causing environmental damage to further their own ends, as evidence for change. Coun Boden wants to see specific proposals included in a new Countryside and Rights of Way Bill which would secure statutory protection for the highest grades of sites locally designated. The bill merely makes such provisions for Sites of Scientific Interest (SSIs), but not for SBIs.

"SBIs do not have the statutory protection that they deserve," he said. "There is increasing community concern about this and that has been made abundantly clear with Barracks Lodge."

Coun Boden said there was strong consensus supporting statutory protection for the highest grade of site.

"We would like to see a system similar to that used for listed buildings, with special protection for Grade A sites of biological importance. This would have to be subject to various safeguards such as clear advertising, a proper objection procedure, and a presumption that any sites designated are protected from development.

"We believe that the local planning authority should have the power to serve a statutory notice on a site owner requiring them to undertake any work necessary to protect an SBI.