CONSERVATIONISTS are celebrating the Forestry Commission's purchase of a huge tract of open space between Leigh and Tyldesley.

The sale has been completed of a 323 acre parcel of land surrounding Higher Folds estate and Gin Pit village in a deal between the commission and landowners Peel Holdings.

A £50,000 consultation exercise is set to begin immediately, with locals being asked to put forward their ideas for the future.

Within the next two years the logistics of the scheme will be in place and a further £2m will be ploughed in to developing the natural oasis created from the spoils of industry.

Ecstatic Councillor John Lea, the nature-loving visionary who for the past 10 years has plugged away at getting this project off the ground, is delighted.

He told The Journal: "The site will be developed as a community woodland with walks and conservation areas.

"Extensive public consultation is planned and people's ideas as to how best develop the land for leisure and nature will be taken on board.

"I have been working on this since 1991 and it is satisfying to think that future generations will always be able to enjoy this countryside." The land in question is the major part of the Higher Folds-Gin Pit reclamation scheme which, when it began in June 1977, was the largest scheme of its kind in Europe.

Around £3 million pounds of Euro cash was ploughed in to transforming extensive coal spoil heaps.

The coal waste was excavated and landscaped and topped with soil and grassed and the site managed by Greater Manchester County Council.

When that authority was disbanded, assets were disposed of including almost the entire reclamation site which was acquired by Peel Holdings for a reputed -- but never confirmed -- £250,000.

Now the Forestry Commission acquisition means more tree planting, woodland walkways and nature reserves will be on the agenda.

Cllr Lea added: "This will create an important section of the Red Rose Community Forest and I visualise an eventual link-up with the canal corridor, Astley Green colliery museum and the Whitehead conservation area."

And Forestry Commission spokesman Tim Oliver described the land deal as "a very exciting project".

Peel Holdings will retain a portion of the site off the Ley Road which leads from Astley Street/Princes Avenue to Gin Pit village.

Alderman Jimmy Jones, ex-Mayor and retired councillor who lives in Higher Folds, is delighted with the forest news.

Mr Jones told The Journal: "When the initial scheme began in the 1970s and they talked of a golf course we in Higher Folds thought we might make a go of offering bed and breakfast accommodation. Sadly, that didn't materialise.

"But seriously I'm very pleased. John Lea has worked very hard on this. It is a good move.

"Higher Folds is in a great position surrounded by countryside. There are not many estates like this, I just hope people appreciate what they have got."