A LENGTHY planning battle has ended with developers being given the go-ahead for building at a wildlife oasis.

A High Court decision has quashed Wigan Council's objection to a planning inspector's ruling regarding building 81 homes at Taylor's Hole, off St Helens Road in Leigh.

In January, the Council appealed because it thought the inspector had made the wrong decision in ruling Milnes Gaskell Estate should be allowed to build 81 homes on the ten-acre site.

But the High Court ruling after a ten-year planning wrangle has upset Metro planners.

A council spokesman said: "We are surprised and disappointed at the Taylor's Hole decision.

"We will consider if there are grounds to appeal.

"The judgement said the inspector's decision was lawful, regardless of our view of its planning merits.

"We will now examine that judgement to see what it tells us about the interpretation of Government policy.

"If we decide on no further action, we will need to closely examine any development plans for the site as and when received.

"This decision means that unwanted housing will now go ahead on a green field site which affects trees, a wildlife corridor and a flood plain.

"It is a complete nonsense which the council regards as contrary to sensible planning and an abuse of the planning system."