RESIDENTS in Tyldesley are firmly against plans to build an industrial estate on farm land.

Their concerns include increased noise and pollution, extra traffic, and loss of greenery and wildlife which they claim would result from Peel Developments' proposals for grazing land which stretches from Garrett Hall Primary School in Tyldesley to Holy Family School at Boothstown.

Anti-development campaigner Geoff Molyneaux, aged 69, has lived with his wife in Tanhouse Avenue, off Henfold Road, Tyldesley, for 23 years. Neighbour Carol Hill has lived next-door-but-one with her husband for 16 years.

Their homes back onto the land and they are anxious the proposals do not go ahead and have begun a fight to save the land.

Ex-policeman Geoff said: "We are very proud of the green land here and the feedback I am getting from local residents is that we want to keep our fields, hedgerows, birds and wildlife. The development would destroy the countryside."

In the line of fire is Chaddock Lane Farm -- which would disappear to make way for an access roundabout to the proposed Astley Employment Park. Local councillors are in the process of organising a public meeting to discuss proposals.