Bamford Councillor’s Report
The sad news this month is that the recent Judicial Review into the allocation of our green belt land for development did not uphold the objections brought by the Greater Manchester Action Group. As a result, our local green belt sites, and others across Greater Manchester, will now be reclassified as greenfield land and made available for building.
Although there was a possibility to appeal, the cost was considered prohibitive. We want to express our heartfelt thanks to all the dedicated campaigners across Greater Manchester who fought tirelessly to protect our green spaces and heritage.
Turning to other planning matters, there is still no decision on the Greenvale application, and no formal application has yet been submitted for the McCarthy Stone proposal behind Bamford Mews. This week we attended a Bamford Mews residents’ meeting to discuss the potential development.
We were also pleased to visit the new Council-owned children’s home in Bamford. It is a warm and welcoming environment, currently home to one child, with two more expected soon. The children placed there will be from within the borough, which is far better for their stability, allowing them to remain at their schools, near their friends and families. This also enables parents and carers to visit more easily, while offering a financial saving to the Council. We wish the residents and staff all the very best.
Another enjoyable recent duty was judging the Best Dressed Halloween House competition, organised by Friends of Bamford. The entries were wonderfully creative and delightfully spooky! Congratulations to the winner and well done to everyone who took part.
By the time you read this, we will have made it to three Christmas Fairs in one day, at Bamford Chapel, Brimrod, and St George’s churches.
We will continue to be available for residents throughout the Christmas and New Year period, so please do not hesitate to get in touch if you have any concerns. Our January surgery will not take place on New Year’s Day, but we will be at Bamford Chapel the following Thursday at 10am if you would like to speak to us in person.
With our best wishes for a happy, healthy, and peaceful Christmas and New Year.
