RESIDENTS and councillors are gearing themselves up for a fresh battle over the future of the Cutacre open mining site in Hulton.

Town Hall chiefs are believed to be weeks away from starting to prepare a draft allocation plan for the controversial site, which will set out the boundaries for the various areas being proposed.

Earlier this year, the Government’s Planning Inspector approved Bolton Council’s core strategy, a document which paves the way for development at the mining site.

Council bosses want to turn it into an industrial estate — despite a condition that the site be restored as a country park before open cast mining was allowed.

While the inspector agreed to revised proposals, which will see less of the open mine site redeveloped for job creation—80 hectares instead of the originally proposed 144 hectares — he failed to set a boundary, leading to fears any development could be made along the A6 edge. Ian Smith, who has been leading the fight, said: “We have to ensure when the council draws up its allocation plan, that residents make representations.”

Hulton ward councillors Andy Morgan, Alan Walsh and Phil Ashcroft have reiterated their commitment to supporting the residents.

Cllr Morgan said: “We have said all along we will fight with the residents to ensure there is a green belt buffer zone between the residents in Over Hulton and the industrial estate.”

Last night, a council spokesman revealed the allocation plan would go out to public consultation in the autumn.

She added: “At that stage, there will be another opportunity for representations, which will be heard at a public examination, similar to the Core Strategy. Only then will the council be able to adopt the document in its final form.