A CAMPAIGNING Flixton resident is hoping that plans to build on the green belt in the village will mean the go-ahead for a development on land at Flixton Station.

A scheme by developer Branley Homes to build 24 flats on the land was refused planning permission in April, because it is in the green belt.

But council chiefs have now put forward proposals to build on the green belt, as part of a plan to build 23,000 homes in the borough by 2035.

The land included to be developed at Flixton Station includes the site Branley Homes wants to build on and parts of William Wroe golf course. Around 750 new homes are earmarked for the site.

Campaigner Ross Grant organised a petition as he pressed for the Branley Homes development to be approved. This has so far been signed by 300 people.

He claims the Branley Homes development on what he describes as a 'derelict' eyesore' would improve the area, and is pleased at the proposal to take the area out of the green belt.

He said: "That land has been a derelict eyesore for literally 20 years - since the Station pub burnt down - and to see the plans get knocked back time and time again made me outraged."

He added: "The development site at Flixton Station consists of two-thirds greenbelt and one third is not classified as anything.

"Rather than destroying the green belt, it would actually open up the land for use by future generations - it’s an improvement."

On the wider development plans on green belt land, he said: "I’m all for development that is done responsibly, where the land is being developed into attractive projects.

"I’m certainly not one to have a ‘not in my back-yard’ mentality.

"If it’s necessary, let’s adapt, move forward and develop responsibly."