LOCALS, birdwatchers and anglers have won the battle of Taylor's Hole.
Plans to build homes on 10 acres of land off Kirkham Road, Leigh have been turned-down by Wigan planning committee.
Schemes for the Pennington paradise with a big pond in the middle brought a flood of objections including road safety factors and English Nature's concern over protected species like water voles and kingfishers.
MP Lawrence Cunliffe joined well over 500 others, including members of the Leigh-based Izaak Walton Angling Society, in registering objections to Milnes Gaskell Estate's building plans.
Pennington Park User Group chairman Janet Evans told planners the area was "well used by local people searching for peace and tranquility" in an area where land was being used for housing "with no seeming regard for people's wishes".
Retired Police Chief Inspector Maurice Townley raised road safety concerns about the proposals and residents of Kirkham Road and Lightburne Avenue sent in petitions supported by 471 signatures.
Planners also received 57 individual letters of objection.
On Tuesday Wigan planning committee refused to give development permission.
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