Plans for a major housing development on the outskirts of Bury have triggered fierce opposition from residents, with one saying he paid a 'premium for a quieter lifestyle' and is now considering moving if the scheme goes ahead. The proposed site at Gin Hall, off Walmersley Road in Walmersley, has been earmarked for hundreds of new homes, but locals fear it will destroy the peace and wildlife they value.

Christopher Woodward, 46, who works from home in computer security, said he moved to the area specifically for its tranquillity. 'If the homes are built, I would see them all day long,' he said. 'I enjoy walking my dog over there, seeing deer in the morning and all kinds of wildlife. Having that many properties and cars on this road would be awful. It would force me to consider moving. I paid what I would consider a premium for a quieter lifestyle.'

Steve Edgar, 55, a project manager, believes it would be hard to find anyone in the area who supports the plans. 'There are loads of other areas available for development,' he said. 'The trees across the road shield noise and help with air pollution, and we think they could be cut down. I don't think we need more houses here. There's lots of development across Bury already. It feels totally unnecessary.' He also raised concerns over whether local services like hospitals could cope with the influx of residents.

Another resident, in her late 50s, echoed those sentiments, saying: 'They see a bit of greenery and they'll build on it. It's about wildlife, the environment, climate change, and I believe it's a buffer for motorway noise. It's just not wanted.' She noted that more suitable sites for development exist elsewhere.

While plans are at an early stage, this is not the first time Gin Hall has been proposed for development. It previously appeared in drafts of Greater Manchester's Places for Everyone plan in the early 2020s. Residents say they believed the land was protected as green belt and were surprised to learn that developers had submitted an application for the next planning stage.

One resident, in her 80s, recalled a petition from years ago that she thought had secured green belt status. 'Unfortunately, that doesn't seem to have held,' she said. 'Walmersley Road is very busy. Having houses across there, with access onto the road, won't be safe because it's so busy.'

The developers were approached for comment but had not responded at the time of publication. More details on the scheme are expected in due course, with an outline application seeking approval in principle first, followed by detailed proposals.