BURY MPs have had their say on how the revised Greater Manchester Spatial Framework will affect the borough.

Plans to build 9,500 homes and create industrial space for up to 25,000 jobs will cost Bury more than a tenth of its green belt, it was revealed this week.

Green campaigners and opposition councillors were united in their anger at the proposals.

But Bury Council leaders and Mayor of Greater Manchester Andy Burnham defended the re-draft of the Greater Manchester Spatial Framework and the way the borough would be affected.

As councillors James Daly and Tim Pickstone complained that the latest plans would change Bury communities forever, Labour leader Cllr Rishi Shori and Mr Burnham said improvements to transport would benefit neighbourhoods affected and stressed the new job opportunities.

MP for Bury South, Ivan Lewis, has raised concerns about the location of proposed housing across the borough.

"I continue to have serious concerns about the impact on my constituents and the proposed distribution of new development across Bury — a major development in the Elton Reservoir, Whitefield, Unsworth and Simister areas compared to little or none in Ramsbottom, Tottington and surrounding areas", he said.

"I’m also clear that the character of Simister village must be protected."

Mr Lewis intends to conduct his own consultation with residents across Bury South.

James Frith, MP for Bury North, welcomed the removal of development proposals at Holcombe Brook and Gin Hall from the plans.

He said: "The Walshaw site has been reduced by a third and now includes a plan for new roads, better buses and a new school. And we’ve the successful addition of new green belt land all across the constituency. All of this means the 30-year GMSF plan sees a net loss of green belt in our constituency of just one per cent."

However, he added: "I will keep leading the effort to apply pressure on the government to scrap its unrealistic targets and to get ministers to accept independent analysis which says we need far fewer homes than they’re demanding.

"This would ensure we could save even more green belt and only build the housing we need."

Mr Frith will hold a public meeting to hear from residents on February 7.