Campaigners voice cemetery concerns at public meeting

Around one hundred and fifty people have attended a public meeting hosted by the Bamford Green Belt Action Group regarding the possible siting of a new cemetery on farmland in Bamford.

The meeting, held at Bamford Bowling Club, is the group’s second public meeting.

Those in attendance were shown a presentation highlighting what the meadowland looks like now and what it could eventually look like with gravestones on it.

Councillor Pat Sullivan, who chairs the Action Group, said: "We are highly delighted at the amount of people who have turned out tonight - this is what we need - people power and it shows that the public are serious about this land - it sends a strong message to Rochdale Council that Bamford people are not willing to sacrifice their countryside for a cemetery.”

Councillor Sullivan went on to pinpoint the problems with both Site 5 (Bury and Rochdale Old Road) and Site 3, (Bury and Rochdale Old Road/Norden Road -which has recently been withdrawn). The group believe the withdrawal of site 3 is only temporary.

Concerns regarding underground watercourses, flooding and how busy the main road is were also highlighted.

Councillors Ian Duckworth and Jim and Jane Gartside were in attendance and assisted in answering questions in the open forum.

Councillor Duckworth, said: “We must not forget that the most important thing about the Green Belt is its permanence and that it prevents urban sprawl.”

Campaign organiser, Anne Shorrock, said: "We could have the largest cemetery in Rochdale if this is allowed to go ahead as there are other meadows in close proximity.

“This land is our countryside and once it is developed it is gone forever."

A public consultation meeting regarding the cemetery will be held on Thursday 14 July at Bamford Chapel at 6.30pm. The group is urging people to attend.