We will save wood, vow campaigners

CAMPAIGNERS have vowed to save Crompton Hall Wood, saying it will be gone for ever if development takes place.

As revealed in the Evening Chronicle on Monday, members of Crompton Hall Action Group (CHAG) has been given another chance to fight the plans after it appeared they had lost their battle to prevent building at the Shaw beauty spot.

Two years ago, the group — which had seen off six sets of plans over three years — was forced to concede defeat after a planning inspector approved building 15 flats and a three-bedroom bungalow at the Buckstones Road site.

But developer Vian Homes never began work and has now submitted a new application to build eight houses instead.

It’s believed the credit crunch, making it more difficult to sell flats, has forced Vian to go back to the drawing board.

After viewing the plans, CHAG members have now declared that their campaign is back on and they will be vehemently opposing the development. The group is to hold meetings and study the plans more fully.

Chairman Sue Eckersley said: “In CHAG’s opinion, again we are seeing good trees that are hundreds of years old being felled so these houses can have gardens.

“Should planning be granted, we also feel that it won’t be long before the residents demand further trees to be felled due to darkness and the natural damp conditions of the wood. Also, the height of the houses appear to be far too high and not in keeping with surrounding property.

“Ecologically, the loss of rare and beautiful flora, fauna and wildlife, such as some protected species including bats, will be devastating.

“There are very few natural open space areas left. Crompton Hall Wood is hundreds of years old and is a site of scientific and biological Interest where schools from miles around come to study the nature.

“We try to educate our children and encourage them to look after the environment — soon children will only see natural beauty from books!

“We ask everybody to stop this developer, Vian Homes, ruining this historic site. The site is steeped in history which can be viewed on the Internet. Even Winston Churchill has stayed in the old Crompton Hall.”

Oldham Council repeatedly backed CHAG by refusing planning permission but after a two-day public inquiry in May, 2007, planning inspector Chris Watson ruled in favour of Vian.

The developer had pointed to a “large and growing shortfall” of housing in Oldham.

CHAG had previously halted its campaign as members couldn’t afford the large costs of taking the fight to the High Court.

A manor existed on the site as early as 1442 to provide for Norman conquest settlers. The last hall on the site, built in 1848, was demolished in 1952 and a bungalow built. The site was once owned by Roger de Picaventis, a nephew of William the Conqueror.

Planning officers say residents will be consulted.