JOIN PLANNING SANITY HERE

HELP US HELP YOU our work relies upon your donations and subscriptions to survive

MAKE A DONATION TO PLANNING SANITY HERE

Email Planning Sanity

HOME PAGE

PLANNING SANITY HELPLINE 0871 750 3992 Calls 10p per minute

Campaign Events Calendar

OTHER FORUMS

Important Legal Notice

The following colour scheme applies to docs on this site

Word Docs

PDF Docs

HTML Docs

Return to Public Inquiry Forum

PROOF OF EVIDENCE

DAVID FEARNLEY

ON BEHALF OF SWAN

PLANNING APPEAL No app/n4205/a/99/1033664

Industrial development (B1, B2 & B8)

Land South Park Road, Westhoughton

 

I/we live at Daisy Hill, by St James’s Church at the corner of Hindley Road, which is a junction of Leigh Road and Lower Leigh road at certain times of the day the air is acrid with car, lorry and van fumes etc. I cannot open the front window due to the heavy car fumes. Noise is also an important factor here. For much of the day and at weekends we have to endure the increasing traffic. It often makes relaxation impossible. The often-constant traffic noise even interferes with my children’s homework, and can interfere with sleep patterns. Fumes from the numerous vehicles. Often the situation is so bad that it is not possible to open my own front windows. Pollute the majority of Westhoughtons roadsides. It is true to say that many people in Westhoughton suffer in the same way. We are forced to endure unhealthy noxious Fumes from vehicle exhausts

Ambulance, fire and Police have been impeded or caught up in local traffic jams I have witnessed this on several occasions, especially on Leigh Road and Park Road and Daisy Hill Village/Hindley Road areas, and in the Central Drive/Church Street area.

Hindley Road/Daisy Hill Village is a feed through connecting and feeding, through traffic from Wigan via Hindley, Hart Common. Also Bolton via Park Road and traffic from The A6 (Chorley Road) taking Traffic from other parts of the region and wider.

Plus any further traffic be it domestic, commercial or construction, from other building developments on the Westhoughton Fringe, such as the Edges Farm Estate (Daisy Hill) and the already granted application (10.5 ha) of housing at Hindley Green, nr Daisy Hill.

Other relevant considerations include future potential developments, such as Chequerbent (Industrial) or Bowlands Hey (Housing- Wigan Road). If granted this large housing area will generate large numbers of extra traffic, which will affect Daisy Hill and all other parts of Westhoughton and further afield.

A major cause for concern is Park Road, it is often gridlocked/jammed with traffic and even when not jammed it is still extremely busy. Pedestrians walking along Park road have to endure the noxious traffic fumes. Along with other Local roads, mothers often walk its length with small children and elderly people use it regularly. In places it can sometimes take over five minutes to cross. Park Road is an accident Blackspot. Platt Lane links Westhoughton to Atherton, Leigh etc. It is used as a short route between Westhoughton and Atherton town centres.

Leigh Road can be very dangerous indeed. Often Jammed with Traffic: cars, vans, HGVs, lorries etc. Hindleys Housing Estate adjoins Leigh Road. Washacre and the other narrow estate road network are often used as short cuts from Wigan Road/Church Street and the A6 junction (Wingates). The Washacre junction is an accident blackspot. Daisy Hill receives much traffic via Cricketers Way and Leigh Road, via the narrow Railway Bridge at Daisy Hill Station. Here it is particularly difficult to cross at the best of times. The small Station Car Park is just past the Railway Station. Here the road dips. A small hill slopes from the station, posing some danger to cars exiting the car park. Much of the traffic feeds through to the Hindley Road junction by St James’s Church (A dangerous pedestrian blackspot).

Wigan Road is a heavily used road, an accident blackspot. Within the last year there has been atleast two serious car crashes/pile-ups. In one instance a car engine left its impression in an end house wall. These two accidents were close to Wearish Lane, which connects to Hindley Road and Daisy Hill. The Wearish Lane junction, by the Petrol Station, is a Blackspot. I have often seen HGVs and large contractors wagons using Wigan Road and Wearish Lane. The tiny hamlet known as Dobb Brow has One Narrow Lane, forming an up hill junction onto Wigan Road. Traffic from Hindley, Dobb Brow etc, then go up Church Street to the A6 junction, on to the Chequerbent Roundabout.

Church Street is linked to the rest of the road network. At times it gets very busy. There are many narrow side roads/junctions leading adjoining. Much school traffic uses this road and local schools are: Parochial CP, Wingates CP, Sacred Heart CP and Central Drive CP. Central Drive directly links Church Street to Bolton Road. Heavy wagons, HGVs and commercial vehicles etc, use the road. Central Drive is often used as a short cut and some heavy vehicles tend to use it. Grundy Street and Peel Street, both connect at junctions to Church Street. They inturn do link up with Collingwood Way. A densely populated area, with many young children residing and playing. The proposed developments at Bowlands Hey also wish to link the area by road. Thus potentially linking Bowlands Hey to Church Street etc.

Bolton Road Links the A6 Whitehorse Crossroads with Market Street junction and Cricketers Way via junctions. This inturn is linked to Daisy Hill Village. All are linked to the Chequerbent Roundabout. This narrow road is a blacksport. Only last November a car was smashed at Whitehorse. Within the last couple of years a day nursery has been opened in what was Whitehorse School. Traffic is often jammed here. You can indeed taste and smell the vehicle fumes when walking. Heavy vehicles, HGVs, Contractors Vehicals etc. Often use the road, even at school times.

Bolton’s Wildlife Strategy raises many Local Agenda 21, ecological and wildlife

issues. However on a close inspection a major issue directly concerning the proposed industrial development raises its head. The strategic location of the proposed site in environmental terms. The current (HGP-EA-October 1998) report, disturbingly ignores much. If you examine (map 3) in Bolton’s Wildlife Strategy Report it can be seen that at least three Wildlife Corridors merge into the Westhoughton, Rumworth, Wingates and Hulton Park areas. Development here will cause severance and cause harmful effects.

Careful study of our local (SBI’s & Wildlife Corridors), greenbelt and last few remaining Greenfield sites tell us that they are linked, the common bond being water ecology. Infact water flows through the site into the Lee Hall (SBI). We also note the statement in the first paragraph of the (LWT – Letter – 15/3/99). "We have spoken with the consultant ecologist employed by the developer. We have been informed that further survey work will be carried out at an appropriate time in the future but wish to make the following comments on the information available at the present time".

All are directly linked. Chequerbent is placed at a strategic point within Bolton’s Wildlife Corridor network; indeed they are the only lifelines for our wild species, which in recent years have suffered dramatically, due to mass building within Weshoughton on Greenfield sites. Appendix 6 Sites of Biological Importance can be found within Bolton’s Wildlife Strategy. Here clear links emerge, especially when (map 3) is brought into play. It can be seen the following are linked: They form part of the complex, fragile, Diverse ecological chain. A common bond.

The Hulton Park Estate abuts the Chequerbent site, the wildlife there does use and rely on the Lee Hall area as a whole spices using/living there include: Roe Deer, Badger, Hare, Great Creasted Newt (GCN) Bat etc etc. Roe Deer is the only native deer species. Whilst Roe Deer are not common in the area, they have been seen, very early morning on the proposed development site by a local farmer on a number of occasions. They are also present in Borsdane Woods (East) another of Westhoughtons (SBI) sites. Which forms the network of wildlife corridors, they infact link Borsdane (SBI) via the Greenbelt to Dobb Brow (Bowlands Hey) through to Daisy Hill, Lee Hall (SBI) and proposed industrial development site.

Indeed on a recant site visit (13/3/00) a clear Badger print was witnessed in mud on the footpath close to Platt Lane, only a short distance away from Hall Lee Bank Park (SBI). Heading towards Hulton Park Estate (SBIs). Through the proposed site.

There are clear Badger feeding signs in Hall Lee Bank (SBI) itself, in the form of Gnawed Logs in atleast Three locations. It is known that atleast one sett is located on Hulton Park. Badger foraging/feeding signs have been recorded on the proposed site (EA). Badger from Hulton Park must cross the proposed site. They must cross Platt Lane, onto the previously withdrawn larger Lee Hall site. Their future safety/existence is put at serious risk from future traffic; development and high levels of human/noise disturbance etc, if this development were to go ahead.

In(4.4 p25 of Bolton’s Wildlife Strategy) it does state that " Over the last twenty years Badgers have suffered due to direct persecution, agricultural intensification and urban spread…". It goes on to say. " The latter is a major factor influencing Badger distribution, with development removing much of the rough grass and pasture on which they rely".

Also seen on site (13/3/00) was the Hare, we saw one Hare off the central footpath on the right of Platt Lane crossing open fields. The hare is not recorded on (Appendix 2. (ESL - Ecological Constraints Survey) (ECS) - September 1997) Faunal Species recorded at Lee Hall. It is known that Due to loss of open land, fields etc that the Hare is in decline. Within the last 25 years and to date much open Greenfield land has been developed within Westhoughton and its fringe.

Within Westhoughton there has been a drastic decline in populations of the Hare. The wildlife corridors, which feed into Westhoughton via and through the site, are even more valuable in an ecological sense. If the corridors are destroyed or blocked by successive Greenfield developments species including the Hare (a native species) will cease to exist.

Surely, the destruction of rare, endangered or any wildlife species cannot be justified, given the initiatives and realisations of our government and that of international governments, in respect to Agenda 21, including all other initiatives supported by Bolton Council, Lancashire/Bolton Wildlife Trusts (LWT), Bolton Environment Forum etc. Including Bolton Councils commitment to Bolton’s Wildlife Strategy and any other supporting written material produced for or by Bolton Council.

However it is clear to us that the appellant gives little credence to the local and wider ecology, wildlife, environment etc. In a recant letter (3/3/00) to Mr Maile (CfPS) from Mr Mark Carrington (HGP). Mr Carrington concerning access to the appeal site. In particular his comments concerning the statutory and non- statutory parties.

Mr Carrington goes onto say "…..As you know, none of these expert bodies have objected to the appeal proposals…"

However in an (LWT) Letter (22/6/99) they indeed do say. "We are very concerned that the presence of great crested newts is not recognised in this planning application…"

The letter goes on to say "Protection under the Act includes both aquatic and terrestrial habitats and great crested newts require a considerable area of terrestrial habitat, up to 500 metres from the pond, to sustain a viable population".

Another letter from (LWT- 15/3/99) raises a number of concerns, which include ecology, water,habitat, badgers, GCNs, plants etc. They make particular reference to the Ecological Constraints Survey (September 1997) and the Environmental Assessment (October 1998). In that first paragraph of the letter (15/3/99) it states:

In the (LWT) letter dated (15/3/99) it states " The reports indicate that that(the-our correction ) bog Pimpernel is found on the site and is "locally" rare. If it is rare in South Lancashire terms, the implication will be that it is of regional, not just local importance".

In paragraph 1 of the (LWT) letter, under 3.2 Protected Species water run-off is mentioned. Also the presence of marshy grassland areas, which benefit plant, animal, amphibian and insect alike. The proposed site does have such areas within and historically watercourses feature highly here. During periods of high rainfall wetland habitat avails itself, with the obvious benefits to wildlife.

We note that the (GMEU) letter dated 24/3/99 does raise many issues of concern. In the first paragraph it does state: "In my opinion, it would be premature to determine this application on this assessment…" Under Echological Assessment they raise issues such as (GCNs), habitat, watervole, badger, birds etc.

They question the (ECS report - September 1997 para 3) "… the survey was only carried from footpaths and roads using binoculars". It goes on to say " This cannot provide adequate habitat and vegetation data…"

There are also Pipistrelle and larger bats within the proposed site and the local residents regularly see them. Their food source is generated from open fields: flies, insects etc. The marshy grassland, ponds and wetlands do feature highly here. A major concern to us is the potential eradication of bats.

Their presence at the site is part of that ecologically diverse link between other species, including nocturnal species. Loss of their feeding grounds and roosts would lead to their eradication. It would nieve to assume that the bat population would move on.

Their EA report does acknowledge the importance of nursery roosts, in farm buildings or mature trees. However in the EA report it does state: "…be carried out as soon as possible so that the exclusion of the bats can be carried out."

Bats are included in Bolton’s Wildlife Strategy Report ( 4 Species Protection- 4.1, and European and International Legislation – 4.2, including the protection under PPG9. All species of Bats have protection. Local people has observed pipistrelle and larger bats on site.

Bolton’s Wildlife Strategy does state that: "One of the main threats to bats is the loss of prime feeding areas, caused by the removal of suitable habitat, such as hedgerows, woodlands, mature trees, ponds and the loss of clean waterways with well vegetated banks."

Indeed Article 3, the agreement on the conservation of bats in Europe highlights the responsibility of the UK to " endeavour to identify and protect important feeding areas for bats from damage or disturbance."

Hedgerows are an important feature of the Chequerbent site. Although mostly made up of hawthorn. Within them they hold diverse plant communities. They sustain and protect species of fauna, insects, butterflies, GCNs etc. Hedgerows in general are in decline and over the years many thousands of miles have been torn up.

"In 1947, there were an estimated 662,000 km of hedgerows in England. By 1993 that figure had more than halved to 328, 800 km. At the Last count, England and Wales were losing a net 18,100 km of hedgerows every year. Losses are caused by direct removal (‘grubbing up’) as a result of intensive farming practices, housing, road and other development, and by poor management where neglected hedgerows become gappy and denigrate into a line of bushes." (CPREs-Hedgerows in the landscape)

The Hedgerows are crucial in respect to Breeding, overwintering birds, roosting and feeding bats, Great crested newts, toads, hedgehogs and small mammals etc. Owls are known to perch on or within the hedgerows. Certain plants and herbs are crucial to the survival of certain butterflies, such as the Peacock and Tortoise Shell Butterfly, both rely on the nettle for their survival. Nettle grows within the hedgerows at Chequerbent as do other wildflowers, herbs, fungi etc.

Hedgerows are important, they are an irreplaceable record of how land was divided and managed in the past. This is highlighted in (CPREs - Hedgerows in the landscape) under the subheading Hedge facts they state: " Hedgerows are not just part of English Landscape; they make it…" They go on to say: "…The provide vital habitat, food and shelter for a host of plants, animals, insects and birds. They are in all respects, a precious environmental and cultural resource for this and future generations to enjoy."

Most of the hedgerows were re- laid about 1724/5 & 1805 during the enclosures. Hedges were often laid upon raised banks, known locally as "Sykes"these ancient land boundaries often adjoined a ditch, the "Dyke". Within Westhoughton Sykes & Dykes were once common, however due to mass building over the last 25-30 years many have vanished. These irreplaceable features dating from the 13^th century and before need protection.

The Platt Lane alignment does still retain in places its raised banks, with some Hedgerow remaining further down towards Hooper Green. (WA11. Appendix 1-Wessex Archaeology Report) highlights its status. Much of Westhoughton was part of Houghton Woods. Both land boundries and woods are documented in the 13^th/14^th centuries. (Cheetham Society Papers – Westhoughton Ref Lib)

Various birds are present either feeding, using or breeding on site, red listed species are present. Birds seen on site include: Cuckoo, Snipe, Skylark, Yellow Hammer, Reed Bunting, Song Thrush, Linnet, Yellow Wagtail, Greenfinch, Long Tailed Tit, Goldfinch, Chaffinch, Lapwing, Bullfinch, Swan, Owl etc etc. These birds have been seen on the site within the last year or so.

Only last year 1999, the pair of breeding Swans on Bellhouse Lodge (Daisy Hill) did successfully rear Five Cygnets. They survived and have now moved on. The Yellow Wagtail is breeding within the Lee Hall (SBI). It feeds along the length of Lee Hall Brook and associated watercourses.

The Yellow Wagtail is a water quality indicator. Current water quality must be kept and improved in the future, for their sake and the sake of all the other aquatic creatures, birds etc. This development puts the Chequerbent/Lee Hall watercourse(s) future risk.

On a recant Chequerbent site visit (13/3/00), lasting two hours, 12pm-2pm, we observed the following: Swan x1(LowFlying), Goldfinch x3, mallard (pair rising from pond), Song thrush x2, Feildfares x25, Rook x10, Crow x3, Yellow Wagtail x1, Chaffinch x3, Hedge Sparrow x2, Wildfowl (unidentified) x7, Skylark x6 (group), Wren x2, Coaltit x2, Bluetit x5, Grey Heron x1, Canada Goose (low flying) x5 etc etc.

Even so early in the season and given our obvious limitations the proposed site was alive with wildlife. Furthermore our visit was undertaken, so early in the season when some species are not present or still arriving.

The site does support endangered, Red Listed birds: In a BBC report (14/12/98) the government was looking at the issue: Skylarks could disappear within 4 years. The Song Thrush Within 7 years.

We note with interest the statement contained within Randall Thorps development framework document (August 1999). On page 2, under Bird Habitat they say: "A range of common farmland birds are found on the site…The open fields support two territories of skylark". The skylark is indeed a Red Listed (RSPB UK) declining breeder.

The Leigh Ornithologists Group have highlighted the presence of the Kingfisher on site; Kingfisher is a (Schedule One Species). Kingfisher was also seen along Lee Hall Brook. It has also been sighted at: Middle Brook Lostock/Deane and at Rumworth Lodge. These areas happen to be part of Bolton’s Wildlife Corridor network. They form extremely important links to the Chequerbent site. Environmental sustainability is a cornerstone of Local Agenda 21. Bolton’s Wildlife Strategy does support and underpin future protection of Flora, Fauna etc.

It is clear to us that Chequerbent is indeed strategically and vitally important as a link for declining Birds, flora, fauna, invertebrates’ etc. Local people, including a farmer have seen the elusive native, roe deer. The badgers are breeding on the Hulton Park Estate, only a short distance away. The badges feed on the Chequerbent site and cross to the rest of the Lee Hall site as far as Hall Lee Bank Park/Woods. They have to cross Platt Lane.

The (GCN) is living and breeding here, any large-scale activity/disturbance will have a detrimental affect on the (GCNs). Wildfowl often fly at low level across the proposed site. The perminant proposed industrial structures will create serious risks to Birds in general, using the wildlife corridors and SBIs for their day to day, local, regoinal and wider migrational Links.

Activities such as, heavy human activity and pollution may well destroy this protected species. The new proposed recreation area and nature reserve only measures 2.4 ha, one of which is playing field. Given the total loss of such a large area, how on earth can 1.4 ha of so-called nature reserve mitigate such an important diverse area. The new recreation area will be by the so-called nature reserve.

Heavy disturbance will soon take its toll on the (CCNs) and other amphibians etc. The loss of such a large Greenfield area, cannot remotely be sustainable. The proposals within the first deposit UDP have designated the proposed site as "Other Protected Open Land".

The reserve will not be able to sustain much wildlife, as disturbance is a key factor here. Construction is another factor. (GCNs), amphibians etc will be destroyed by construction activity. Afterwards can safe maintenance be guaranteed.

Why cant the present Chequerbent playing field be enhanced, improved, be made more diverse and sustainable. Local residents are well aware of the environmental significance of the area and its longstanding environmental links to the Rumworth Lodge, Snydale Hill and Daisy Hill area. Plus the wider links to other nature reserves, such as: Borsdane Wood and Pennington Flash. There are no (GCN) Ponds on the present Chequerbent Playing fields. The area around could be made more diverse.

In environmental terms water course protection is crucial to both human and wildlife alike. Like Atherton, Westhoughton is indeed a town of little brooks, fed by springs, large and small. For the most part flowing in the same direction. Towards the Mersey Basin. If the Chequerbent watercourses were to be affected by potential pollutants from such an industrial estate we would be affected both locally and regionally, with probable wider affects. The watercourse(s) flowing beneath the proposed Chequerbent site, do link up with the Hall Lee (SBI) site at Hall Lee Bank Park and flows directly into Hall Lee Brook. It is highly probable more than one watercourse flows beneath the proposed site.

Hall Lee Brook flows into Bellhouse Lodge, then through Leigh to Pennington Flash Nature Reserve. Through to the Mersey Estuary. Given the location of the proposed Industrial Estate at such a strategic and sensitive location within Bolton’s Wildlife Corridors. We feel that it would be folly to endanger such a strategic, sensitive and diverse site, with such important hydrological links.

The current (EA - ESL ) Report makes particular reference to watercourse, it states in 3.3.1 Hall Lee Bank Park (SBI). Potential Ecological Constraints. "The current quality of this watercourse will need to be protected both during construction and through the life of any development". We feel that rare, uncommon and threatened species will be destroyed. Diverse eco-systems can be lost, at the end of the day, what goes into the water resides in us. It can affect our health. As well as affecting and destroying protected/endangered flora and fauna, insects etc.

Watercourse mentioned is marked on the 1929 OS Survey. To be more precise a watercourse emanates at the rear of Owler Hall Farm (see appendix 1), Chequerbent. Flowing in a southerly direction. The watercourse appears then to go underground, eventually, reappearing at Waters Nook/Singleton Fold. However this may well be a separate watercourse.

A pond was once located at Bailey Fold Farm, this ancient pond was fed by a watercourse. The pond was back filled during the 1950s, often local ponds are/were linked to a running stream or spring. The pond is marked on the 1929 OS map. Local People have witnessed the connecting watercourse and pond.

The watercourse skirts Park Road, onto Platt Lane, to Bailey Fold Farm. Historically many ponds go back hundreds of years; this is the case at Chequerbent. Ponds (Fishing’s), were recorded in 1595, they were included in the holdings of William Pendlebury of Snydale Hall (Chequerbent). Ref. : (Westhoughton Ref. Library).

The 1929 OS map shows the watercourse passing between Fish Fold and the Hall Lee Farm Moated Site, into the current Lee Hall (SBI) Site to Hall Lee Brook. There are no guarantees that Lee Hall (SBI) or Lee Hall Brook will be protected from any development. After flowing into Bellhouse Lodge, Daisy Hill. Hall Lee Brook forks and runs through Daisy Hill Village. Linking with the Cunningham Brook (SBI), Hart Common and the Pennington Brook watercourse at Dobb Brow (Bowlands Hey).

Then flowing through Leigh to Pennington Flash Nature Reserve, onto the Sankey/Glaze Catchment Area, through to the Mersey Basin. Industry has traditionally used rivers and streams as dumping grounds. Nowadays we are much more aware of the dangers of pollution. In recant years governments have ploughed millions of pounds into cleaning up the Mersey Basin/Estuary.

The development of this industrial estate will heighten the potential risks. Furthermore the government are committed to Agenda 21. Bolton, as a council is committed to Local. Agenda 21. Bolton’s Wildlife Strategy was funded by Bolton MBC with grant aid from English Nature. The Local Environment Agency Plan (LEAP) has detailed environmental and conservation plans for now and in the future. Watercourses are sensitive diverse habitats; an irreplaciacable resource we can’t afford to lose.

The current (HGP-EA) report does not encompass such important issues. It is very worrying that the levels of traffic borne pollution continue to increase. The health of local residents is at risk from increasing levels of carbon monoxide, benzene etc. According to Bolton Environment Forum traffic is increasing rapidly, this has resulted in increased levels of nitrogen dioxide.

Within a few years levels have increased from 32 PPB to 36 PPB. Dr Duncan Laxens report (AQC-Nov 1998) does highlight sensitive locations, he states: "…. Potentially sensitive locations are those places where members of the public may be regularly exposed to higher concentrations for significant periods of time. Junctions are especially important, as emissions are greater due to slower moving traffic and the proximity of two or more roads".

At Chequerbent Roundabout three roads merge together: The A6, Wigan Road and Park Road. The residents of Park Road already endure constant high traffic levels. During the work and school runs/returns, Reebok match days, weekends etc, there are long tailbacks and traffic often backs up from and before Westhoughton town centre to Chequerbent Roundabout to the outskirts of Bolton.

The present traffic emissions pose their dangers to local residents. Any further increases pose a significant threat to Health in general. Emissions from industry and industrial space heating systems have not been dealt with in the (EA). The risks of road accidents, injuries and fatalities are heightened.

Indeed the health of human beings is not defined within the (October 1998-HGP EA report). There is no mention of the impact on the adjoining occupiers. What will the effects from large industrial buildings e.g. their close proximity to the residents of Park Road. What of the effects from noise and light pollution. Major omissions have been made from the (EA).

Surely Bolton’s Local Agenda 21 gives protection to our ever endangered, diminishing wildlife species and our ever-decreasing Greenfields. At Rio in 1992 Britain, plus another 149 countries endorsed Agenda 21.

Chequerbent/Lee Hall is an important Greenfield area to the present generations and in light of growing awareness of our enviroment, which surrounds our urban/rural areas; Chequrbent will only grow in importance, to our future generations. It should be noted that Bolton WIDE have eight local sites, most being Brownfield Sites.

A site such as this warrants protection, as it is rich in respect of diverse wildlife, cultural and archaeological heritage. Areas such as this grow rarer by the day and Westhoughton has seen much Greenfield development in recant years; very little is left; it takes great vision to protect, enhance and sustain whats left.

We have noticed many inadequacies within the (EA) report e.g. No mention of the impact of loss of such a large area and there has been no assessment of alternative sites. Bolton Council and the Environment Forum are continuing to raise awareness in environmental issues.

They have indeed won several prestigious awards for the work already achieved. We do not believe that Bolton WIDE needs this site. As they have other land set aside in Westhoughton, Lostock and Horwich; they have sufficient Brownfield land at hand and they will try to acquire even more.

Carpet development has already destroyed much in Westhoughton. New, more sustainable ideas are needed and employment does not just mean factories and offices. Heritage, leisure, nature and tourism can create employment for local people, permaculture and organic farming is revitalising much of Britain’s farmland.

Such action has been spurred on by the concerns for our Health. There is no reason that Chequerbent is any different. On a site such as this, all can co-exist; farmers, general public and our threatened, diverse wildlife can be protected, and enhanced. Great vision is required. If our Greenfields are to survive and thrive into the next Millennium.

Over the years many of the open Greenfields in Westhoughton have disappeared, due to carpet development. Many potential sites may have been lost. Indeed it seems that our heritage and archaeology have been seen as irrelevant by successive landowners, builders and planners.

PPG 16 does set out the Secretary of states policy on archaeological remains; it acknowledges the potentially fragile and finite or irreplaceable nature of such remains (para. 6), and it sets out the desirability of preservation of archaeological remains and there setting as a material consideration within the planning process( para. 18).

It states within Bolton Metropolitan Borough Councils UDP, December 1995: CE3/3 "The Council will protect, enhance and preserve the sites of archaeological interest and their setting….."

Arial Photographs do exist; a cover search produced 175 prints, taken from 1945 to 1971. Plus twenty- four prints dating from 1987. Wessex Archaeology Ltd (WAL) (2.5.1) p7. The RCHM(E) library at Swindon holds the (APs). An example of evidence occurs in (WAL 3.5.1). here is mentioned (WA1 & WA2). RAF Photo, no 58/1573 (22/9/54) is highlighted here and the photograph covers (WA3).

However, only few Greenfield sites have survived, and some archaeological sites have been identified. Lee Hall/Chequerbent may well turn out to be a very important site indeed a rare site, with prehistoric links, also links to early Bronze Age settlement. Appendix 1 Gazetteer of archaeological finds and findspots lists a number of sites at Chequerbent/ Lee Hall the majority dating from the18th /19^{th c} .

A few of the sites are listed as uncertain prehistoric/unknown, site 3 can be found directly on the proposed development site. Sites 1 & 2 both circular cropmark – AP sites are very closeby to Site 3, the field system – AP site linear hollow – boundary/trackway.

Another important consideration here is the close vicinity of a glacial valley. Which is now known as Hall Lee Bank Park. In prehistoric times such valleys were used by hunter-gatherers to trap and forage for food. Evidence also shows that the area was cleared during the Neolithic period (c4000-2400BC). According to the (WAL} Report 1:3:1: this would have been for farming purposes and as such settlements would require tracks or roads, for communication and trade.

Britain is 93,000 square miles, figures do estimate that in the late Neolithic period there were only around 10,000 people living in Britain (Wood Eric S. Historical Britain p 16). This is one insight into how few domestic sites there were throughout, Westhoughton, Bolton and Britain: "Early prehistoric material is relatively rare in this part of the north-west" (WAL) 1.3.1.

Archaeology helps us to understand the past and is the key to understanding our society today and into the future. That this site is of great importance cannot be doubted. The Greater Manchester Archaeological Unit states that: "The majority of the site lies within an Area of High Archaeological potential" (WAL 3.1.1).

It is indeed probable that there are other important archaeological sites, within the site, as yet not located. The (WAL Report p8) states: "No geotechnical or other engineering data is currently available"

The (WAL 1.3.2) states that: " There is also little evidence for roman activity in the immediate vicinity of the site…"

Over looking the proposed site is Snydle Hill, a very prominent feature during the roman occupations. The roman signal station at Blackrod could be seen from Snydle and Chequerbent. The current A6 linked the roman settlements at nearby Wigan. Also Manchester, Wilderspool, NR Warrington, which was a roman industrial settlement.

All were linked to the coast by road. The current road, the A6 for the most part follows a millstone grit ridge. The original roman laid highway was built about 80 AD, by Agricola and his Legions. That road can still be found beneath much of the current road length. Roman finds in the immediate vicinity are rare indeed. However some have been found close to the Chequerbent site. One such find was located at Hermon Bank, Hunger Hill.

The item turned out to be a Bronze Decorative Stud thought to be of use on roman armour or leather. It was thought to date from the 4^th century AD. The finder being a Mr D. Fearnley. The item was taken and identified by Bolton Museum.

In 1973 a small roman Bronze Finger Ring was found in clay sub soil, of the A6 at nearby Whitehorse. By Cowlees Springs. By J. Hulton. By the Metal Box Factory.

At Fourgates, near Wingates several roman items have been located, they were: Two Roman Harness Rings, a Lead Spindle Whorl, odd coins and some Roman Grey pottery ware. Found by Mr D. Fearnley in the 1980s.

The links to later habitation are strong and the village of Chequerbent has a long and chequered history. During the medieval period there has been a documented succession of landowners and tenants. Over looking the Chequerbent Roundabout was once Snydle Hall (Slivehall), In 1166 Albert de Gresley, Baron of Manchester gave land to Ellias de Pennildury (Pendlebury). One of the last Pendleburys was John, a yeoman, in 1833.

The Legh/Leigh’s are recorded as living at Lee Hall in 1260 at the time; John Leigh was having boundary dispute with Richard Hulton of Hulton Park. The first recorded Hulton being Blethyn or Blenin in (1154-1198). In 1571 John Leigh and his son were fined 12d for six messages of land and a watermill. The last of the family lived at the New Lee Hall in 1833. That hall was built in the 1790s, but has now all but vanished.

Platt Lane is highlighted in (WAL-4.1.5)."It is one element of a historic landscape" Platt Lane "is thought to have mediaeval origins". It goes on to say "As such unless there are overriding reasons, It would be better to respect the course of the present road". We feel that the site is rich in identified archaeological remains, possibly even richer in other as yet unnoticed or discovered sites. We notice that S.M. Davis (WAL) only made a rapid visit (11/9/97-WAL-3.6.1).