RESIDENTS who opposed controversial plans to build a new housing development in Bury have vowed to continue their fight after the proposals were re-submitted.

Last year, householders in Lowes Road joined nearby Chesham Primary School in protesting against a bid to build 26 homes on an old brickworks site, and also a memorial garden on adjacent former landfill.

The proposals from The Brickworks (Bury) were withdrawn after complaints over the potential release of harmful gases and the impact on traffic in the area.

However, amended plans were submitted earlier this year – to build 24 homes rather than the original 26 – and are under consideration by Bury Council.

Alyson Malach, who helped form the Lowes Road Landfill Residents Group, said: “We fought this last year and we will fight it again because as far as we are concerned nothing has changed.

“Some people who live around here have been here 30 or 40 years, and know exactly what went into that landfill and how harmful it could be.

“If something is going to be built there then we want it built on our terms.

“The traffic and parking situations around Lowes Road are a nightmare now, so I don’t want to imagine what it would be like with all the building work going on and then 24 new homes.

“We knew this would rear its head again, but the issues we had last year haven’t been resolved.”

At the time, developers said the plans created no significant risk would bring “positive benefits” to the area, pledging to solve the site’s drainage problems.

A letter was also sent by Chesham Primary School to Bury Council last year after mud and water poured off the site and damaged school land and blocked emergency exits.

A school spokesman said this week: “The basic issue for us is that there is a lack of assurances.

“They are basing their findings on the balance of probability and we don’t feel this is good enough when we are dealing with over 320 children and their future safety.

“Existing drainage issues haven't been resolved and are likely to get worse and the potential for gas escape, however unlikely, is not one we wish to even consider.

“Traffic and parking remain a problem along Talbot Grove and Lowes Road and this will only exacerbate the problems.”

Representatives of The Brickworks (Bury) were not available for comment.