Councillors' delight as planning officers back Maltby Court campaign

Newly-elected Liberal Democrat councillor Alicia Marland

Saddleworth’s Liberal Democrat councillors have had confirmation that the planning department has backed their calls to block a development in Lees which would have eaten up valuable green space.

The development at the back of Maltby Court would have eaten up valuable OPOL space (Other Protected Open Land) – after developers had already pounced on protected land at nearby Knowls Lane in controversial circumstances.

Newly-elected Liberal Democrat councillor Alicia Marland said: “This development has been on the cards in one form or another for some time, and we have been working hard since it came up, both with the local residents and the officers to make sure that their genuine concerns would be heard.

“Too often the officers have recommended approval on OPOL land in the past – we believe in the importance of these protected spaces.

"We’re delighted to hear that our concerns have been listened to, and that when this comes to committee next week, we would expect it to be turned down.”

While members of the planning committee cannot make a decision ahead of the meeting (July 6), the officers’ recommendation should prove influential, although any decision can still be sent to appeal.

Fellow Liberal Democrat ward councillor Mark Kenyon said: “We have continuously fought against the loss of OPOL land – we are still working with Save Our Valleys on the Knowls Lane development, which we believe shouldn’t have gone through.

"We’re working hard to challenge the detailed planning application on that which will be heard on the same night.

“We can only hope that this recommendation is the start of a change which will see OPOL land – and the new classification of Local Green Spaces – better protected.

"We have always believed it should be considered as more valuable – challenging the approach taken by planning officers and the Labour members of the planning committee in the past.”

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