RESIDENTS in Westhoughton have urged Environment Minister Michael Meacher to help them fight plans for a super estate on one of the last green field sites in the area.

Mr Meacher was at Bolton Town Hall yesterday as part of a touring "global warming roadshow" to speak on climate change and how people can make a difference.

As well as being quizzed on the Government's environmental policies, he was bombarded on the issue of the super estate. Six residents asked Mr Meacher if he felt the new estate would go against Government policies on protecting the environment because of increased traffic and pollution.

An application is under consideration for a massive 1,100 home estate at Lee Hall. Many residents oppose the scheme, believing it will cause gridlock on already busy roads.

Lesley Riley, Dave Fearnley, Sylvia Riley, Jean and Alfred Reed, Barry Howarth and Susan Whitely presented Mr Meacher with a petition and information on the plans and he promised to go through them to see if he could have any influence.

Mr Fearnley said: "This estate will be terrible for Westhoughton and, if we can get Mr Meacher to listen, we might be able to stop it going ahead. Ninety per cent of the community feels the same."

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