ANGRY neighbours in Windle have launched a campaign to prevent what they claim is the last remaining 'green' space in the parish from being swallowed up by a new housing development.

It follows the submission of a planning application for the building of 32 new houses on the Parish Church Recreation Field, off Rainford Road.

And residents fear that as well as losing their last remaining playing field, if approved, the new development - complete with access road - would create a potential hazard on what is already a heavily-congested thoroughfare.

According to council statistics, Rainford Road already has to cope with some 13,000-plus vehicles each day between 7am and 6pm. And campaigners believe that the increased traffic created by the proposed development, and the opening of the new Windleshaw School, scheduled to be completed next year, would create a potential 'death trap' for youngsters attending the new school and the nearby Hamblett special school.

Windle councillor Austin Whiteside told the Star: "Residents are greatly concerned about the increased amount of traffic. Their paramount fear is that the development of this land would only worsen the congestion and speeding, which are already a problem on Rainford Road, and could put local people at risk.

"As well as traffic problems, residents on Queens Drive and St Georges Avenue have, in the past, suffered flooding in their houses due to the disturbances of surrounding land. The water table levels are high in this area and there are underground springs so it is not surprising that residents are concerned and fear their houses could be flooded if the field is disturbed."

With regards to the loss of recreation space, he commented: "There have been promises for play areas and a scout hut etc., but I firmly believe the current recreational field should be kept for the people of Windle."

More than 50 concerned people from the Windle area attended a public meeting at the Nalgo club on Sunday, November 28, to discuss the plans. During the meeting, one disgruntled resident said that if the development got the go-ahead "the only park left in Windle will be the cemetery."

Another meeting is scheduled to be held in the New Year - with details to be released nearer the date - while residents are due to meet with the Parish Church Council on Saturday, January 20.

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