CONCERNS bubbled to the surface as plans for two commercial fisheries in Bury came up for debate in a packed school hall.

About 80 people gathered at St Stephen's CE Primary School on Tuesday to hear proposals for new facilities at Whitehead Lodges in Lowercroft and Parkers Lodges in Elton.

At Lowercroft, two new car parks are planned: one on land at the centre of an application for village green status made by the Friends of Cockey Moor, Whitehead's and Parkers Lodges.

The owner of the reservoirs Mr Keith Talbot hopes to develop angling facilities for disabled access, and maintains that commercial fishing is the key to preserving the lodges.

However, objectors at a meeting of Bury West area board feared that the building of roads around the lodges could pave the way for future housing developments.

A 24-space car park is planned on land included in the village green application, with a stone track from Slaidburn Drive to be surfaced and extended.

Across the lodge at Old Barn farm, a similar car park is proposed, with six extra spaces closer to the water for disabled lodge users.

Objectors added that any planning decision should follow the results of a public inquiry in November about the village green designation.

Chairman of the Friends group, Mrs Elaine Shirt, said: "I have spoken to our lawyers, who inform me that no local authority worth its salt would even consider a planning application for a car park when the result of a public inquiry is so very close to being determined."

Radcliffe Angling Club chairman Dennis Eckersall claimed that a commercial fishery was not viable on the lodges, and that car parks would make development of surrounding land more likely.

He said: "When we first had a meeting as the Friends of Cockey Moor, councillors assured us that nothing would be built on that land.

"I believe that roads leading to the car park are just a fake, leading to bigger things later."

Questioned on the legal impact of any planning decision on village green status, Bury Council planning officer Tom Mitchell said: "There are village greens with car parks on them and I am not sure that these things are in direct opposition, although clearly the introduction of hard surfaces will change the character of the area."

Residents also heard that Mr Talbot had submitted plans to build a visitors' centre between the lower Parkers lodge and Diggle Lane allotments.

Board members voted to hold a meeting devoted to the planning applications on May 6, when more planning detail will be available.

The 7pm meeting will take place at Lowercroft Primary, Ashington Drive.

Mr Talbot, who was present at the meeting but declined to speak, told the Bury Times that he would be willing to answer questions then.