CAMPAIGNERS at Hindley Green are hoping to turn the site of a planned housing estate into a Village Green.

And they claim Wigan Council gave planning permission for the Swan Lane Industrial Estate, knowing there was an inadequate existing road network and knowing they had no money to build a much-needed road.

Campaign co-ordinator John Vickers says the new estate will give the council the road they want.

He told an action meeting attended by 100 local residents: "The council will give the developers planning permission to build a sprawling estate and the developers will build the road for the council on the cheap," said Mr Vickers.

"WMBC do not intend to relieve heavy traffic congestion in Hindley Green as a whole, merely to prohibit it from Swan Lane and force it on to Atherton Road, Corner Lane, and if not using the new road to the industrial estate, on up through Dangerous Corner, Smallbrook Lane and the already grid-locked Daisy Hill."

He added: "The people of Hindley Green have for 30 years or more used this land for recreation without restraint, regarding it as much theirs as their own back gardens.

"We feel WMBC with the complete endorsement of our three councillors are robbing and cheating us out of a vital amenity, having sold off everything else of significance.

"We are advised that the greatest protection against development on a piece of land is to achieve Village Green status. This is our immediate aim. But we know our local councillors will not help us do this."

A working group has now been formed to look at the various aspects of the campaign.

"And we are trying to enlist the help of our MP Lawrence Cunliffe. The village green could be his lasting legacy for Hindley Green."

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