PLANS to build a 23-bedroom hotel and country club on greenbelt land in Ramsbottom have been slammed.

The development has been proposed for Ripon Hall Avenue and Haigh Hall Close, on the Whittingham Drive estate in Ramsbottom. The planning application, which has been lodged with Bury Council, also includes leisure facilities, restaurants, bars, three function rooms and car parking.

Cllr Ian Bevan said: “As a Ramsbottom councillor, I have consistently opposed development in the greenbelt. Ramsbottom’s green spaces need to be protected from developers and I will strongly oppose this application, and do everything possible to stop it going ahead.”

Cllr Bevan and fellow councillor Robert Hodkinson are urging residents opposed to the plans to make their views known to Bury Council’s planning department. Cllr Hodkinson said: “This proposed hotel would be better suited on one of the derelict industrial areas rather than on our greenbelt land.” Developers PPY Design Ltd said the proposal has major long term benefits for Ramsbottom, such as opening up the area of woodland for public enjoyment.