I WRITE to comment on the letter about Nangreaves (November 14) from Mr Geoff Baggott headed: "What are they conserving?".

The development of the old mill by Northern Counties in the 1980s was an idea which was discussed at great length, in many meetings, with members from Bury Council and Northern Counties Housing Association, to which all the then residents of Nangreaves were invited to air their views. These meetings took place in the local pub, the Lord Raglan. A survey was also conducted by the residents which showed the village was in favour of the development by three-to-one, a fact reported in the Bury Times.

It must not be forgotten that when the owners of the mill, Arrowtip Northern Limited, closed their operations in Nangreaves in 1982 the building remained empty for a number of years. Consequently, the mill eventually fell victim to vandals, as well as the elements, resulting in broken windows and slates falling off the roof. This, unfortunately, added to its already dilapidated appearance. As for the mill lodge, due to lack of maintenance, it became overgrown with weeds and was potentially dangerous.

Mr Baggott is right that, for many years, there has been a reluctance on the part of Bury Council to enforce the powers they had to ensure that the outside appearance of Grade Two listed buildings were not changed inappropriately, or that Northern Counties Housing Association management did honour the undertakings given at the time the conversion was done.

The cobbled road to Nangreaves does need repair and Bury Council has approved spending of £15,000 in this financial year to at least make a start.

The Nangreaves Residents' Association (Mr Baggott has surely heard of them as regular newsletters are posted through his door) has for years been working to encourage the council to take its responsibilities seriously. This year, however, enormous progress has been made, which we believe is due to the appointment of Mr Nightingale as conservation officer in autumn 2002.

It is natural that long-term residents anywhere will remember a "golden age" in the past. What the current appraisal seeks to do is to persuade people to change what is not appropriate to Grade Two listed buildings, and to ensure that the undertakings by Northern Counties are properly regulated.

There is still a great deal in Nangreaves worth conserving and the council's plan does have the support of many residents who have worked hard, and continue to work, to galvanise the council into action.

Nangreaves may no longer be inhabited by mill workers, but it is still a friendly community, interested in keeping the village looking good. Regular working sessions, at which residents help the Bury Council countryside warden and volunteers, have been running for five years and have improved the village surroundings.

I am sorry that Mr Baggott feels so negative about the future of Nangreaves. The Mount Pleasant Conservation Group was formed specifically to bring what appear to be inappropriate changes, which threaten the conservation status of the village, to the attention of council officials. It does not seek to represent everyone in the village.

VAL WOODS,

Mount Pleasant

Conservation Group.