SPEN Moor has been saved after Bury planners won their High Court fight to protect it from development.

Campaigners to keep the land in the Green Belt have finally won the war after more than a decade of struggle.

Bury Council has long argued that the 18-acre site, south of Bolton Road between Bury and Radcliffe, must be kept open to check urban sprawl.

Following a hearing in London this week, Justice Lockhart-Mummery dismissed an appeal from Peel Investments (Northern) Ltd, who own the land.

The battle went to the High Court because the local authority resisted a Government inspector's recommendation in the Unitary Development Plan that the area should not be listed as green belt land.

On Bury's behalf, it was argued that "adequate planning justification" had been given for that refusal, because of exceptional circumstances, as set out in the council's Statement of Decisions and Reasons on Proposed Modifications to the Plan.

Council leader Derek Boden said: "The High Court has vindicated the stand that we have taken.

"We fought this matter because we felt that it was in the interest of the borough to protect this land. All along we have argued that these 18 acres or so at Spen Moor should retain Green Belt designation and the Court has agreed with us.

"Peel Investments chose to appeal the issue and we have successfully defended our position. I sincerely hope that they now accept the decision."

Coun Boden added: "As a council we have consistently made it clear that we will fight to preserve and protect Green Belt land. Our determination is strengthened by this victory."

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