Save Greater Manchester’s Green Belt urging residents to join protest

'Save Bamford' green belt ramble

Organisers are urging thousands of residents to support a rally in central Manchester to protest against controversial plans to build on green belt.

The Albert Square rally - organised by Save Greater Manchester’s Green Belt (SGMGB) - follows local rallies, and tens of thousands of objections to plans for new housing and industrial development across the region.

Steven Longden, SGMGB chairman, said: "We’re maintaining the terrific impetus created by the local protest groups, and hope that the powers that be can see just how serious we are about scrapping these plans in the current format.

“Our peaceful protest, in front of the TV cameras, will highlight how passionately opposed the ordinary folk of Greater Manchester are about this blueprint to destroy our green belt and damage communities.

“Of course, we understand, and have empathy with the need for affordable housing; and of course, we understand the need to create new jobs for the future. We have children and grandchildren, but these same children, and their parents, need places to walk and run and relax and play.

"We must protect this natural environment and secure it for future generations.

“We would urge the Greater Manchester Combined Authority to go back to the drawing board to ensure a much greater amount of brownfield is proposed than the current 70% target stated in the plan. Previously much higher targets were being achieved by authorities across Greater Manchester.

“I am confident that hundreds, if not thousands would support the rally outside the city’s town hall."

The rally, to be staged outside Manchester Town Hall has support from the Campaign to Protect Rural England (CPRE).