Nelson campaigners fight to save 'green lung' from housing development (From This Is Lancashire)

Nelson campaigners fight to save 'green lung' from housing development

1:00pm Thursday 1st November 2012 in News By Tyrone Marshall, Reporter

CAMPAIGN groups looking to prevent housing development on the ‘only green lung’ between Nelson and Colne want the land to be transferred to residents.

Get Knotted, which is campaigning against the building of 212 homes on land off Knotts Drive, Colne, and RAGE (Residents Against Gib Hill Exploitation), have teamed up to ask the council to transfer the ownership of Gib Hill to a community land trust.

Part of Gib Hill is allocated for housing under Pendle’s local plan, but campaigners want the land protected for future generations.

Campaigner Azhar Ali said: “Councillors in Nelson have agreed in principle with our request for the land to be transferred and to be looked after by the local residents.

“A full report is going to go to the council’s executive committee in December I think to be considered in more detail.

“Gib Hill is only the green lung left between Nelson and Colne.

“The application is in for 212 homes on land on one side of Gib Hill, and if Persimmon get their way, where is it going to stop.

“The council can say they will never allow houses on Gib Hill but it is in the local plan, by transferring it to a community land trust they will be putting their money where their mouth is, and letting local residents look after the land.

“Then the residents can develop it as a nature reserve or a green space and access funding that the council can’t, while preserving the land for future generations of youngsters in the area.”

Philip Mousdale, Pendle Council's deputy chief executive, said: “We're looking into it, but the land was bought for and allocated for housing.”