I REFER to the visit to the University of Bolton by the Rt Hon Earl Howe, Minister of State for Defence, for the signing of the Armed Forces Covenant committing support to all aspects of the armed forces and their families.

I have no doubt this document will be regarded as sacrosanct.

Pity Bolton council did not honour a similar document, namely the Ashworth agreement covenant some years ago which would have preserved Birtenshaw farmland from unacceptable development in perpetuity.

But hey, this document us still legally binding, so planners please remember when confronted by a fresh onslaught, you still have the ace up your sleeve.

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