DEVELOPERS are using Human Rights laws in a bid to create a massive business park, which has been blocked by the government.

Arrowcroft is to appeal against Deputy Prime Minister John Prescott's rebuff by claiming he was not impartial. The move is certain to provoke outrage from residents in Tameside who protested at the plan for Waterside Park.

A public inquiry, which approved the 63-acre scheme in Denton in 1999, was overturned in November. Mr Prescott intervened following a massive public outcry and refused planning permission for the scheme - which would have included 200 homes, public open space, a golf course and business accommodation.

The rejection came as a massive blow to Arrowcroft and Tameside Council. They claimed the development would be an economic boost to the area. Today's move follows a recent High Court ruling that similar decisions to turn down four other planning applications breached the European Convention.

It was claimed the Waterside development, close to the newly completed M60 at the Denton interchange, would create 2,470 jobs.

But the plan sparked a bitter battle. Gorton MP Gerald Kaufman and Denton MP Andrew Bennett both opposed the plans. Mr Kaufman used parliamentary privilege to claim in the Commons that the developers tried to ''intimidate and blackmail'' residents. He also claimed that site owners North West Water had behaved in a ''disreputable and deceitful way.''

Mr Bennett claimed the development would take up the only 'green lung' available to local residents who collected a 30,000 signature petition opposing the scheme. Arrowcroft accused Mr Kaufman of making sensational and inaccurate claims.