Thousands gather at Tandle Hill in protest against greenbelt development plans

Photo: Keeley O'Mara

Campaign groups defied the weather to protest against greenbelt development

Thousands of people gathered in protest against plans to build homes on local greenbelt at Tandle Hill on Sunday (3 March).

Groups from Milnrow and Newhey, Slattocks, Middleton, Royton, Chadderton and Shaw marched from their respective areas to the monument at Tandle Hill, a united effort to oppose proposals of almost 2,000 homes plus employment space to be built on Rochdale’s greenbelt.

The development has been put forward under the second draft of the Greater Manchester Spatial Framework (GMSF).

A spokesperson for Save our Villages (Newhey and Milnrow) Protect the Greenbelt said: “We are stronger together and Sunday really proved that point. I would estimate that when all groups merged there were in excess of 4,000 people – brilliant.”

Under the latest version of the region’s development blueprint, the net loss of local greenbelt in the proposals has reduced from 4.6% to 2.9%, with the Pennines region having the greatest concentration of proposed new green belt sites in Rochdale.

Land put forward locally includes Bamford and Norden, Castleton Sidings, Crimble Mill, land north of Smithy Bridge, Newhey Quarry, Roch Valley and Trows Farm.

• www.rochdaleonline.co.uk/news-features/2/news-headlines/125461/guide-to-the-nine-new-green-belt-sites-included-in-revised-masterplan

The consultation for the Greater Manchester Spatial Framework, currently in its second draft, will close on Monday 18 March 2019.

Have your say:

• www.gmconsult.org/communications-and-engagement-team/gmsf/