GROUND CONDITION TESTS BEGIN ON IRLAMS PEAT MOSSES

Salford council have revealed that ground tests have began on land proposed for housing under the latest draft of the Greater Manchester Spatial Framework, which sets out where development could take place around the region over the next 20 years. As part of those plans an area of land next to Irlam station has been earmarked for development alongside plans to protect huge areas of moss land and restore peat bogs.

Public consultation expressed concerns that the land was unsuitable for building because of peat underground.

Protest groups argue that the new builds are not necessary within Irlam and that there would no benefit at all to the local community, the majority of whom they say, would be unable to afford them. There have also been concerns raised over the increased demand for local resources with school places being a major concern along with the additional traffic in an area which already has a well documented history of problems.

The GMSF has come under fire across most of the region as protest groups clashed with local councils and Manchester's Metro Mayor, Andy Burnham, on the issue.

Neighbouring Cadishead Labour councillor Lewis Nelson has found himself at odds with much of his party and fellow councillors over the issue, a keen environmentalist, Lewis has spoken out over the plans for the area outlined under the GMSF since day one, even using his first speech as a newly elected councillor to shine light on the matter which is set to have huge concerns for constituents.

Earlier in the year, Labour came perilously close to losing the seat in Cadishead to Core independents, in Irlam the fortunes of Labour were not so lucky as Core's Darren Goulden romped past the winning post to gain the seat.

Meanwhile, local protest groups have accused the council of hypocrisy after having only recently claimed a climate emergency.

One campaigner told us,

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"It is absolute idiocy of the highest order to be on the one hand advocating tearing up moss land in order to build homes and warehousing, whilst at the same time declaring to the world that there is a climate emergency which is massively impacting the planet.

"You simply can not have it both ways, it's either one or the other, it is total hypocrisy."

 

Salford City Council promised to undertake a survey of ground conditions to understand its development potential.

The council says that the work has started today (Monday September 16) and should take a week to 10 days to complete.