NEIGHBOUR is up against neighbour as the tug-o'-war over the future of Bolton Road Sports Club took a new twist this week.

Nearly 200 concerned residents packed into a meeting at Chantlers CP School in Bury on Wednesday evening to hear details of the latest plan to relocate the troubled sports club. And opinion was split.

The club continues to search for a new home because their landlords, Bolton Road Methodist Church, want to sell their present ground to Wainhomes for housing in order to pay for a new church.

A plan to move to a green field site in Ainsworth failed after public protests last year. But now another site has been found off Ainsworth Road, near to Chantlers school.

Residents at the meeting were divided on whether the plans should go ahead.

Mr Vinny Gibson, of Rose Grove, spoke for many opponents of the plan when he said he feared intrusion from extra traffic, and added that the area could not afford to lose more open land.

But there was support for Mr Tim Greenwood, of Fieldhead Avenue, who said the club would be a good facility for local children, and said opponents were simply showing a "Not In My Back Yard" (NIMBY) mentality.

Officials of the sports club attended the meeting but were refused a place on the top table. Organiser Mr Ian Aitkinson, of Stapleford Close, explained that the meeting was primarily for residents.

The meeting ended with divided residents and the club vowing to work together to resolve the matter.

Mr Alan Fletcher, club general secretary, said: "We have listened to the issues raised and will be happy to work with and consult with residents."

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