BATTLING local environmentalists are celebrating after Stately Developments withdrew its appeal against Bury Council's decision to refuse the company permission to build houses on Barracks Lodge.

The Planning Inspectorate rejected a request from Stately for more time to prepare for a January public hearing at which the fate of the application was due to be decided.

The hearing has been cancelled as a result of Stately's decision to withdraw its appeal.

Protestors fighting to keep the lodge have received notice of the withdrawal decision from the Planning Inspectorate. They say Barracks has major environmental and ecological significance and is an important local haven for wildlife and vegetation. There have been two sightings of Great Crested Newts, a protected species, at the site.

And they are gearing up to continue the struggle because Stately will soon submit another application for planning permission there.

Mr Clive Roberts, Stately technical manager based at Bolton, confirmed that a new application was being prepared but that it was at a very early stage.

He said: "A decision has been made to withdraw the appeal. We have not discussed the new application."

So residents, who may feel they have won a battle with Stately's decision to withdraw the application, still have work to do if they are to win the war.

Mr Mike Wellock, chairman of the Barracks Lodge Community Association, was pleased that Stately had pulled out.

He said: "We praise the Planning Inspectorate for denying Stately additional time to prepare for the hearing. We are certain that Stately would have used it to remove more wildlife."

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