Farm buildings could be bulldozed for new development

17:01:20 21st January 2010

A housing development is threatening the demise of farm buildings and an area of surrounding land in Salford.

The Manchester Evening News reports that 50 acres of Burgess Farm in Walkden has been earmarked by the council for more than 1,000 new homes.

The farm has 400 sheep and 50 beef cattle, and supplies eggs to local shops, the publication reports.

It states protesters have handed in a 750-name petition against the plan, as it is the only working farm in Salford West.

Eddie Howarth, member of the campaign group rallying to save the buildings and land from being bulldozed, told the Evening News that the development would bring increased congestion and pollution from traffic.

Worsely MP Barbara Keeley is also campaigning to protect Burgess Farm, expressing her concerns about the loss of green open space and of a working inner-city farm.