HUNDREDS of people are expected to march out in protest against plans to build thousands of homes on Bury and Radcliffe's green belt land.

The Bury Folk Keep It Green group will walk from Elton High School to Elton Reservoir to highlight their opposition to the proposals.

This is the second major protest undertaken by the group — the first being held in January 2017.

James Mason, whose protest group now has more than 6,000 members, said: "Bury Council has not listened to its residents, so here we go again.

"Let’s turn Bury green on St Patrick's Day and send a clear no to Bury Council.

"We had between 500 and 600 people at our first march so I'm hoping there will be a good turnout."

Protestors are being encouraged to wear green for the march, which has been organised for March 17 — St Patrick's Day — and the day before the Greater Manchester Spatial Framework (GMSF) consultation ends.

The revised masterplan sets out Greater Manchester’s vision for jobs, homes and the environment until 2037.

A total of 9,500 homes need to be built in Bury according to the revised plan.

The main housing sites in the latest draft are in Walshaw, around Elton Reservoir and at the Northern Gateway, comprising Simister, Bowlee and Whitefield.

"We understand there is a need for housing but we feel quite aggrieved", Mr Mason said. "Bury is loosing 12 per cent of its greenbelt whilst the average loss across Greater Manchester is four per cent.

"So we have decided to show our anger in the form of a protest march."

The net loss to green belt land was cut by 40 per cent in the latest draft of the GMSF released in January.

Now down to 12 per cent, a fifth of the borough’s green belt was originally marked down for development when the first draft was released in October 2016.

The Bury Folk Keep It Green peaceful protest will begin at 1pm on March 17.

Walkers will set off from Elton High School, taking a route through Ainsworth and Starling, before finishing at Elton Sailing Club.

To view the GMSF plans and find out more information, visit www.greatermanchester-ca.gov.uk/gmsf.

The public consultation will close at midnight on Monday, March 18. To take part in the consultation visit www.gmconsult.org/.

Alternatively, people can respond by email to planningandhousing@greatermanchester-ca.gov.uk or post to: Planning Team Consultation, GMCA, Churchgate House, 56 Oxford Street, Manchester, M1 6EU.