A LOCAL ecologist is demanding a public inquiry over plans to turn one of Bury's last urban wildlife havens into a housing estate.

Stately Developments want to build 16 homes at Barracks Lodge near Newington Drive, Elton, but had planning permission refused on ecological grounds.

The company has appealed against the decision and it is now subject to a local hearing at Bury Town Hall on September 7.

But Bury environmentalist, Dave Bentley is dissatisfied with this and is calling for a public inquiry which would be much more formal.

And he has urged local people to write to the Planning Inspectorate over the issue.

"A public inquiry will be granted if enough people are in favour of it," he said.

The site is in Church ward where the three councillors have voiced their opposition to the proposed development of the former mill lodge.

Conservatives Roy Walker, Bob Bibby and Jack Walton have all vowed to fight against the plans.

Mr Bentley added: "The appeal document from Stately indicated a wish to make alterations to the banks of the lodge, which is council-owned land.

"This would require council permission. The work would not be house building as such, but preparaion for the estate. "About one-fifth of the proposed site is council-owned, partly public open space and partly a school playing field."

Coun Bibby, a member of the planning committee, promised to press for a site visit.

He said: "This would be the best way of getting committee members up to date in terms of what the developer has been doing recently."

Stately staff have been working at the site for some weeks and accusations have been made that the company is deliberately degrading the site to reduce its value as a wildlife haven, making it easier to gain planning permission.

The lodge has been drained and general "maintenance" carried out, outraging residents and environmentalists alike.

Coun Walton expressed concerns over some of the tactics adopted by the company.

He said: "I fear that the company may take action which will totally destroy the wildlife aspect of the area."

Coun Bibby added: "We must try to make sure that developers are not rewarded by being granted planning permission after damaging a protected area.

"There have been innuendoes that Stately want to acquire part of the nearby St Stephen's CE Junior School land, to make the proposed housing site more attractive.

"Roy Walker is governor there and I am sure he would resist this completely if there is any truth in it."

The three ward councillors have all expressed a desire to be present at the local hearing, or the public inquiry, if one is called.

If YOU want a public inquiry on the issue write to: Mr Nadeem, Planning Inspectorate, Room 10/23, Tollgate House, Bristol, BS2 9DJ, quoting the reference number APP/T4210/A/99/1024461.

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