I WRITE in response to the letter from the chairman of the Barracks Lodge Community Association (Bury Times, Aug 27) seeking assurances about the council's position in respect of the appeal by Stately Homes against the council's refusal of planning permission for residential development at Barracks Lodge.

Mr Michael Wellock asks that the council does not "jeopardise the future of Barracks Lodge".

The council has already made clear its attitude towards development of the site for residential development by refusing permission for such development. Futhermore, the council is next week defending its position against an appeal by Stately Homes in front of a government Inspector.

I believe that the case for refusal of planning permission is a strong one, based as it is on extensive evidence of the value of the lodge as a wildlife habitat.

Accordingly, I am confident that the Inspector, having heard this evidence, will refuse the appeal. Meanwhile, I share residents' concern at the activities which have occurred at the lodge over the past few weeks. I have not witnessed these activities myself, nor have I been involved in any detailed correspondence regarding them, but I can say that, despite such activities, the value of the lodge as a wildlife site - and the evidence of that value - remains intact.

Had any of the actions destroyed such evidence, then clearly that would be most reprehensible and, I believe, counter-productive.

In these circumstances, I do not think that it would be helpful for me to display all the council's "cards". Whilst we are confident that our case will prevail, we do not know what the Inspector's decisions will be in detail and it seems to me to be only prudent to await such a decision before considering the implications and deciding upon a detailed course of action.

Furthermore, the purpose of the inquiry is to consider the reasons in planning law for the council's decision and the merit, or otherwise, of the appeal. The council's evidence will be given in its capacity as a planning authority, not as a land owner.

However, should the Inspector request it, in order to help him arrive at a decision, then the council will be prepared to make clear its current intentions in respect of its land holdings in the vicinity of the lodge. Those intentions are based firmly upon the belief that the case for rejection of the appeal is strong.

COUNCILLOR DEREK BODEN,

leader of the council.

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