THE POTENTIAL loss of green space in Tottington would be a "tragedy" according to a ward councillor.

Cllr Iain Gartside is asking residents to register their objections after an expression of interest has been made by a housing development company for greenbelt land in Tottington and Walshaw.

The expression of interest has been made to the Greater Manchester Spatial Framework which is intended to come into effect later this year.

Late last year the Greater Manchester Combined Authority asked residents, businesses and land owners and developers to identify sites suitable for housing or employment development.

Now the map has been published from these responses which shows a large area of greenbelt in Tottington which has been suggested for development.

Cllr Gartside, Tottington ward councillor, is encouraging residents to object, he said: "The consultation might be over, but this is only the beginning of the process. I want to stress to residents that at the moment this is not a planning application.

"There is still time for people to register their objections and they are still accepting comments on the website."

The framework will ensure that "the right land in the right places" is being used to deliver homes and jobs up to 2035 along with identifying the new infrastructure needed to achieve this.

The framework website states that it will address the environmental capacity of Greater Manchester and set out how to "enhance and protect the quality of the natural environment".

Cllr Gartside said if the sites currently suggested to be included in the framework were developed, that it would be a tragedy.

He added: "My biggest concern is loss of precious greenbelt land. If we are not careful the whole of Bury will become urbanised sprawl.

"Tottington in particular has had a lot of new houses in the past few years, it has already taken its fair share.

"The space being suggested is huge and it's a lovely view from up there so to lose that would be a tragedy."

The potential map for land for development can be viewed online www.tottingtoncouncillors.com