THREE cheers for our planning bosses and council leader Derek Boden who are determined to protect Spen Moor from the speculators, Peel Investments.

At last someone is concerned to keep the only "jewel" we have left in Radcliffe.

It was a great relief to see the Bury Times headline (March 12) stating that opposition was still continuing.

I am also greatly puzzled as to what good reason the public inquiry inspector had for rejecting the green belt status, overriding the wishes of the local authority and residents.

Having been born and bred in Radcliffe, and living here for more than 60 years, I have been horrified to see the rapid decline of our town and the insidious reduction in our green fields.

Higher Spen Moor area is the last green belt we have and many of us, particularly Three Arrows Residents Association (TARA), have fought hard over the last 20 years to keep it. For some outside inspectorate to now hand it over to speculators is obscene.

I therefore hope and pray that our local authority and councillors will maintain their strong opposition and I urge all local people who have any interest or concern in retaining Spen Moor to add their support.

B. S. LANSDALE,

Grindsbrook Road,

Three Arrows, Radcliffe.

Converted for the new archive on 14 July 2000. Some images and formatting may have been lost in the conversion.