PEACEFUL Astley Green can dream on.

Angry locals feared colliery showground plans would shatter their tranquility.

But planners turned down Hoyles Promotions' plan to set-up a permanent show ground there.

They hoped to stage dog and cat shows, equestrian events, classic vehicle and steam rallies plus agricultural, country sports and air shows.

The shows would have been held on nearly 25 acres of land once occupied by coal stockpiles, pit lodges, engine sheds and railway sidings.

Currently occasional events such as steam shows and vehicle rallies are held on the site.

After enjoying a comparatively quiet existence since the village pit closed in 1970 locals indundated planners with objections.

In a letter to them Ellesmere Street resident Enid Hough wrote:"Astley village is potentially a great tourism asset to Wigan because of its mining and canal history.

"I have no objection to development which enhances this, such as the boat building yard and canal corridor development.

"Astley village is a quiet and peaceful place to live, we wish to keep it that way.

"I wish to register my strongest objection to yet another in a long list of attempts to make money out of Astley village at the expense of the village character and community."

Higher Green Laner Tony Rydings claimed the pressure on Astley Green was becoming "intolerable" and rights of way on the site had been blocked.

He told planners: "Boothstown is closing in with seemingly unrestrained development, the massive landfill site is about to descend upon us and Hoyle proposes a showground larger than the village itself.

"I believe there is an inevitable conflict with other proposals for the development of the colliery museum."

And concerned villager Ingrid Berry said: "The village is not against appropriate development. Most people support the proposed marina and museum, but are totally opposed to any development which will adversely affect the character of the village."

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