Massive last push in Newhey against green belt plans

It was standing room only at a packed public meeting at Newhey Lodge on Friday, where Newhey residents had one final push to save their green belt from developers. The meeting was designed to ensure as many people had their say on plans to remove part of the green belt and re-designate it for housing and industrial space. As a result of the meeting, over 700 objects have been officially handed into the Greater Manchester Spatial Framework Consultation. Dozens of residents went door to door across the village to collect even more signatures.

Speakers at the meeting included environmental campaigner Judith Jones, local letting agent Ellen Kay and local residents Gerard Booth and Chris Sandham alongside local councillor Andy Kelly.

Councillor Andy Kelly, local Council Member for Milnrow and Newhey, said: "The meeting was hugely successful and just goes to show how much local people in our villages value our green spaces and rural way of life. This is just the first stage in a process that has united our area. People left the meeting much clearer about the campaign and hundreds then had their say. All responses have now been delivered to Manchester Town Hall. We have sent a clear message to Greater Manchester's planning boss Richard Farnell that we will not stand back and let our area change forever. This is just the start though and we will be building on this coming together of locals to improve where we live."

Judith Jones, a green belt campaigner, said: "What a fantastic turn out to our public meeting against the proposal to build on Green Belt land in Newhey last Friday. Well done to everyone. We are being listened to, so please don't think you can't make a difference. Together, we can."

Speaking on Facebook, local Letting Agent Ellen Kay said: "I am so proud to be part of our wonderful community and our villages who are working together to save our villages. Our meeting on Friday the 13th at Newhey Lodge showed how much we care about our villages and we have had an overwhelming response with lots of people volunteering their help."