AN ESTIMATED 500 people took to the roads, canals and air around the site of a proposed steelworks to protest at the possible destruction of greenbelt land.

The event on Sunday, organised by the Gale Moss Action Group, was, according to leader Janet Ross Mills, a tremendous show of opposition to construction on the site, which sits next to the M61 motorway.

She said: "There was a tremendous sense of community spirit. We were very pleased at the good turnout.

"It is very important that this plan is opposed. The M61 is a boundary for development and if work starts on the other side of that boundary, it will never stop."

Among the many that turned out were hikers, anglers and boat enthusiasts who lined the perimeter of the proposed steel fabrication plant, which has already been recommended for refusal by Chorley Council's planning chiefs.

Local resident Marc Smith took to the air in a Cessna 172 to take aerial photographs of the area with locals stood around the edge of the site.

Councillor Dennis Edgerley, chairman of planning at Chorley Borough Council, said he was surprised the protest went ahead.

"I have sanctioned a report to go before the planning committee on March 24 which will recommend refusal of the proposed building in accordance with our present planning policies."

Objectors to the proposal believe better sites are available for the steel works, proposed by Bolton firm William Hare, including The Royal Ordnance site at Euxton.

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