CONSERVATIONISTS are cheering moves to create a village green.

A 23-acre site has been earmarked by landfill waste exponents Terry Adams Ltd on colliery wasteland they are set to landscape at Astley.

The company is preparing to open up a massive landfill site at Boothstown, south of the Bridgewater Canal between Vicars Hall Lane and Whitehead Brook.

As part of the deal, the quarrymen aim to landscape the partially-reclaimed Astley Green pit rucks - using material extracting from the giant hole.

And, as a peace offering to Astley villagers, many of whom fought the super tip plans, they are releasing a parcel of land for conservation and recreation use.

The area will be known as Whitehead Hall Meadow. The name comes from Whitehead Hall, a farm which disappeared nearly 40 years ago under thousands of wagonloads of pit waste.

Now environmental clean-up specialists from Groundwork are waiting to upgrade the area which once included the village's Wesleyan Chapel recreation ground.

Anne Williams, Groundwork Wigan and Chorley marketing manager, explained: "We're waiting for confirmation of funding from Landfill Tax sources.

"We are positive and hopeful it will go ahead and we want to start work at the beginning of September.

"This is a positive way forward. We are extremely pleased to be working with the local community on this. It is seen as environmental regeneration of an area for community use."

Exeter-based site owner Terry Adams Ltd has put £10,000 up front to be ploughed into the meadow scheme and initial moves are in hand to have the area designated a Millennium Green.

Villagers formed Whitehead Hall Meadow Committee in March to decide on the best use for the site.

Chairman John Carmichael of Lower Green Lane explained: "Eventually we hope to extend the conservation area to include a 2.4-acre lake south of Whitehead Hall Lane for wildlife and fishing.

"And future plans include creating more allotments. We are also hoping to lay a football pitch near Whitehead Hall bridge - almost in the same place as the old chapel pitch.

"Access would be along the old pit road off Higher Green Lane."

Secretary Christine Elding, also of Lower Green Lane, added: "We are negotiating with the Lancashire Wildlife Trust who are interested in leasing the site."

Wildlife lover and committee vice-chairman Jack Smith, of Scott Street, wants to see the area conserved for future generations.

"We could never win a fight against a tip on a site which comes under another authority anyway," he said. "This site is rich in wildlife and this meadow plan will keep it that way."

Mike Cox, community liaison officer for Terry Adams Ltd, said company was awaiting a licence before work could start at Vicars Hall tip site.

Hopefully, he said, work would start over winter on laying the access road from the A580 at Morleys Hall, eastwards across farmland to Lower Green Lane and onto the reclamation and tip area.

Mr Cox said contractors' vehicles would be prohibited from using the direct route through the village and closed circuit TV cameras would be used to enforce this.

Community liaison meetings are planned where Astley and Boothstown people would voice their opinions.

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