A HAVEN for protected birds would be lost if a plan to build an industrial park on green belt land is approved, an MP claimed.
Barbara Keeley, MP for Worsley has strongly criticised proposals by Salford council to release 98 acres of land at Barton Moss for development.
Breeding barn owls and threatened birds categorised as ‘red’ and ‘amber’ species because of falling numbers have been recorded at the site.
Mrs Keeley says the plan would threaten species which a council policy document – Nature Conservation and Biodiversity – pledges to protect.
The document also specifically notes the numbers of two threatened species which are to be found in Salford.
Mrs Keeley said: “It is of real concern that proposals to develop this open space would threaten declining bird species, some of which are protected under the Wildlife and Countryside Act.
“In the last five years, listed species such as corn buntings, kestrels, yellow wagtails, fieldfares and peregrine falcon have all been sighted on Barton Moss.
“I urge Salford council to stick to their commitment to protect wild birds as agreed in the document on biodiversity they adopted in July 2006.” The council has earmarked land on the Eccles and Irlam border to attract companies to the borough. It would mean either Grade 1 agricultural land or Boysnope Park golf course being ripped up to provide warehousing and other industry.
Council planning boss Coun Derek Antrobus has said the land is ‘essential’ to ‘ensure future generations have access to decent jobs’.
Lecturer Jackie Anderson, 48, has collected around 1,000 signatures since starting a petition against the proposal.
She said: “We are asking for a public referendum.”
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When there is so much derelict land in Salford, why on Earth do they need to build an industrial estate in the Green bet??!
@ Lege et lacrima, Salford .....
Funnily enough I recently asked the representatives from the 'strategy team' at Salford's Planning department about the reasons for proposing green belt utilisation over existing brownfield. When I enquired about the ownership of the land at Barton they were "unable" to confirm who the landowner(s) is/are. And I think we all know who the biggest landowner in that area is.
Just when I think our council can't disappoint me any more than they already have, they go ahead and prove me wrong. This is an absolutely disgusting plan that should never even be considered.
Is the petition mentioned in the article online? I've found a few but they don't seem to be the one in the article.
They ask us to drive 5 miles less a week to save the climate but are happy to destroy the heart and lungs of the countryside, which help to convert CO2 to Oxygen.
One rule for them and another for everyone else, it makes me sick how they treat us like mugs.
Todays Protest was well attended by local supporters, press and Conservative Councillors from Cadishead. Where were the Labour Councillors from Irlam and Eccles? Nowhere in sight. Why do we bother voting for them? Do they support this proposal to desecrate the Moss? Why has Roger Lighup - Local Councillor for Irlam - never attended any of our meetings - he said he's too busy being Mayor, it's not good enough. Huge thanks to all who attended today. Well done!
There is already an industrial estate up the road in Irlam, and many of the warehouses are currently empty? They have recently built a whole swathe of new units on fairhills road, and they can't get anyone to rent them or take on the leases. They have been empty for over 18 months. Why do they think that there is a requirement for more empty properties? This is just greed, thinly masked under the banner of more jobs for Salford? There is no evidence that any jobs will be provided, as the council have no control or influence in making sure that the units are occupied. Lets fill the empty warehouses we already have in existance first. Greenbelt land should be protected as a matter of grave importance, because once it's gone, it's gone forever. Salford is running out of greenbelt land, but it has an abundance of brownfield sites doing nothing. I smell a rat with this plan, someone is set to make money on it, probably Peel holdings. If this plan goes ahead it will be an absolute scandal.