FURIOUS residents have called for a bridleway to be restored to its “original state” after it was widened without planning permission.

The track leading from Halsall Close in Walmersley to Gorse Quarry was altered in 2018 by another resident under the ‘allowance’ of its part owner Stewart Sivvery.

A retrospective application for the work has since been submitted by Mr Sivvery.

However this was labelled “a damage imitation exercise” at a meeting of protesting residents who say that the widening work has been damaging to the bridleway and adjoining land.

At the meeting last week, one resident, Marie Holder described the changes to the area following the work as “truly shocking”, adding: “We want our quiet, safe, pretty, biodiverse bridleway back as it was.

“There is absolutely no need for it to be any wider than it was at all and there has been no plausible reason offered.”

Over the past 18 months residents claim that edges and banks have been destroyed, trees removed, while land ‘around the size of a football pitch’ has been flattened at the quarry,

They also draw attention to the land coming under green belt and occupying a Site of Biological Importance.

They fear that if the current planning application is approved it may pave the way for a commercial development at the quarry.

Ms Holder added: “The damage which has been inflicted is extensive and irreparable and has completely changed a pretty, well used, country bridleway to be an eyesore.

“Much of the wildlife lost their habitat in an instant and most will have perished in the process including the protected hedgehogs and birds. Trees, hedgerow, shrubs and grass banking were all obliterated."

Richard Gee, an agent acting on behalf of Mr Sivvery, said that his client apologised for allowing the track to be widened, but claimed that he allowed the work to improve access for residents living at the top of the bridleway, the emergency services and horse riders.

He added that Mr Sivvery is now seeking to put matters right as quickly as possible.

Mr Gee further refuted that there are intentions to develop quarry as a landfill site or for housing but confirmed any future use would be for “leisure and pleasure” ­— noting that Mr Sivvery recognises the green belt and Biological Importance status.

Finally he hit out at suggestions about the widening work’s effect on wildlife and the bridleway’s appearance.

Mr Gee said: “The access track is, in reality, little more than a typical access lane in an urban fringe location.

“Once the proposed planting is established, the appearance of the track will be largely the same as it was before work was undertaken.

“It will continue to offer the verdant appearance of an urban fringe track, but modestly wider and safer to use than it was previously.”

The planning decision is expected to be made by Bury Council officers.