A BLOT on the landscape is set to become a jewel in the crown - despite nearly 100 protest letters.

Planning bosses have given North West Water permission to transform the former Prestwich sewage work, off Buckley Lane, into a park and wildlife haven.

But the company will have to stick to conditions regarding works access to the site in Drinkwater Park, and keeping it tidy.

NWW has already changed the access route twice and the company now proposes an improved mini-roundabout at the junction of Rainsough Brow, Agecroft Road and Kersal Vale Road.

A temporary road will then run through Drinkwater Park to the site, with fencing on both sides to improve safety and deter motorcyclists. Bury Council's planning department received 96 letters of objection to the scheme - 71 with the same text - and a 126-signature petition, mostly concerning the revised heavy goods vehicle access.

They fear it will destroy landscaping work already carried out by Bury Council, encourage fly-tipping, create a danger for visitors and have a major impact on surrounding roads.

It is proposed that about 240,000 tonnes of waste, including rock, gravel and sewage sludge, will be taken to the site and used in landscaping woodland areas, meadows and a network of paths.

Work will be carried out from 8am to 5pm weekdays but residents had previously claimed that the number of trips on the route per day would exceed the estimated 200 figure.

Whitefield councillor Warren Flood said he welcomed the scheme and his Prestwich colleague Councillor Wilf Davison also supported the plan, as long as vehicles did not go through Prestwich village. The work must be completed within 15 months.

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