Castleton greenbelt threat

Councillor Billy Sheerin

Councillor Billy Sheerin says the large number of local residents from Slattocks, Thornham and Castleton present at the joint solidarity protest walk up to the monument at Tandle Hill on 2 January - voicing their concern at the draft proposals of the Greater Manchester Spatial Framework Strategy - exceeded all expectations.

Councillor Sheerin added: "Their concerns relate to Rochdale's allocation in the plan to build many of the 15,500 new homes on the green belt between Castleton Thornham and Royton.

"They met up with residents from Royton, Chadderton and Middleton who all have the same concerns regarding the massive proposed allocation of land that borders each locality for house building."

A meeting, organised by the three Castleton councillors, will now be held at 7.30pm on Monday 9 January at Castleton Community Centre to explain in detail the process of the consultation and how individual comments can be made. The meeting is open to all and intended to enable people to address concerns before the extended deadline of the public consultation which ends on Monday 16 January.