New proposals on street lights

AN energy giant’s plans to install new street lights across Saddleworth’s conservation areas has been halted.

After a four-hour meeting, parish and ward councillors reached an agreement with E.ON on each lighting column or building-mounted street lamp.

Dobcross proved one of the most controversial zones, with E.ON promising to examine the possibility of renovating instead of replacing distinctive bracket-mounted lights.

A letter to householder explains the proposals for concrete columns in Sugar Lane, the Square, Sandy Lane and Woods Lane to be replaced by new metal columns painted black, with standard lanterns installed elsewhere. Similar black columns will replace lamps presently attached to telegraph poles on Woods Lane and elsewhere. Decorative lamps in The Square, Chancery Lane and Churchfields will hopefully be renovated and fitted with new lanterns. If this isn’t possible, Victorian style lanterns will be fitted on the same brackets.