Dozens march in to save their green belt

- Newhey residents out in force to protect their green belt
- "Last Chance Saloon for our Villages" protest meeting planned
- Councillor Andy Kelly labels plans the plans "...biggest since Second World War"

Dozens of residents braved the plummeting temperatures to march against plans build 120 houses and industrial units around the River Beal in Newhey. They marched to the Tandle Hill Monument where they met other local groups. This included protesters from just across the River Beal in Oldham where half a million square metres of commercial space and 1,400 houses are planned.

With the consultation now being extended till end of play on Monday, 16th January - Councillor Andy Kelly and local residents are holding a public meeting on Friday, 13th January at 7pm at Newhey Lodge on Huddersfield Road. The meeting entitled "Last Chance Saloon for our Villages" is designed to ensure that every local has their say in what Andy Kelly has labelled the "biggest planning decision locally since the Second World War".

Councillor Kelly said: "The turn out just goes to show the strength of feeling in Newhey against these proposals. More and more people were turning up and it's clear the public are against these proposals. Let me be clear: this is not just about 120 houses in Newhey. It's about much more than that. The Council are currently consulting on just these but failing to point out their plans for a massive development just a stone's throw away in Oldham. People are angry as the bigger development will have an even more detrimental effect on our villages. The consultation is very clear on the plans for very large numbers of new homes but very sketchy on what kind of infrastructure would be needed to support them. It's clear that our infrastructure simply cannot cope with these plans. We have no idea for example of how our roads will cope, no idea about how our health services will cope and we don't know how our schools can handle hundreds of extra pupils. If we lose our green belt - it will change our villages forever and I am not about to sit back and let that happen without a fight."

The consultation has been extended till Monday 16 January 2017. You can send in your feedback by emailing GMSF@agma.gov.uk.

An interactive public meeting has been arranged for Friday, 13th January. It will take place at Newhey Lodge, on Huddersfield Road. The meeting has been arranged by Councillor Andy Kelly in conjunction with local campaigners. Andy said: "Many people have told me that they want to object but just don't know where to start. This meeting is designed to assist local people to have their say. Campaigners will be attendance from across the River Beal as well as local protesters from Newhey. In attendance will be campaigners who saved their local greenbelt from Macclesfield two years ago. They will be advising local people on their objections and a huge letter writing session is planned. This really is the last chance saloon for our villages and each and everyone of us owes it to future generations to have their say."