U-turn over plans for Cutacre site

TOWN hall chiefs have performed a massive U-turn over controversial plans for an industrial estate on green belt land at Cutacre.

Following widespread protests, including a petition on the Prime Minister’s personal website which has attracted almost 800 signatures, Bolton Council has reduced the amount of green belt land included in the scheme to around a third of the original proposals.

The authority originally wanted to allocate 98.6 hectares of green belt land at the site, near Over Hulton, as part of its plans for a 145.9 hectare “employment zone” in the new Core Strategy.

But those plans caused outrage among Ward Councillors, residents and local businesses.

Now it is proposing a smaller scheme — of 84.7 hectares — with just 37.3 hectares of green belt land being included. Cllr John Byrne, the Executive member for development and regeneration, is expected to give his approval to the new draft next Monday before the full council is asked to rubber stamp it on December 9.

A council spokesman said: “We have taken into account the feedback we have received as part of the informal consultation on the draft core strategy.

“As a result we have revised the proposal for Cutacre. The suggested change means a significant reduction to the loss of green belt land.”

UK Coal, which owns the land, started an extraction programme at the Cutacre site in 2006.

When Planning consent was granted (on appeal by Government Inspectors) it was conditioned that the land would be turned into a country park once the short-term coal extraction was completed.

Cllr Andy Morgan, who lead residents in their opposition of the proposals, said: “Obviously I welcome any revisions that will benefit the public and preserve the green belt but I, along with Cllr Ashcroft and Cllr Walsh, believe the objections expressed by residents are still relevant whether it is 98 hectares or 37 hectares that they wish to re-designate.

The fact that Council Officers feel the need to reduce the area being considered for re-designation means our objections have been valid and we will continue to represent these views on behalf of our constituents who we have been elected to represent.''

As part of its Core Strategy, the council had to find 100 hectares of land, not currently allocated for development, for use for future employment.

Even though the plans are fewer than the 100 hectares needed, council chiefs are believed to feel that the amount allocated will be enough to satisfy the Government.

If the council agrees to adopt the Core Strategy, there will be a six-week formal consultation in January.

There will then be a public inquiry later in the year and if the inspector agrees the Core Strategy should be adopted, it will come into force from March, 2011.