A COUNCILLOR brandished a rare dead newt at a town hall meeting in protest over plans to build a new housing estate.

The surreal event took place at a meeting of Oldham’s planning committee, where members were due to rule on proposals for 17 new homes in Failsworth.

But Failsworth East ward councillor Norman Briggs claimed a great crested newt, which is a protected species, had been found near to the site and the development should not be allowed to go ahead.

Waving a plastic box containing the deceased amphibian, he said: “The report says that the local records centre holds no records for great crested newts in this part of Oldham and they are assumed to be absent.

“A great crested newt has been found by one of my constituents in his garden and it’s about 300 yards from the development with that pond in it.

“It’s dead in his garden. But more importantly, for one night only, I’ve got the actual newt.

“The resident gave me the newt so he’s making a guest appearance tonight, so for anyone who wants to see the newt – if you’re squeamish it’s in a box.

“Have a good look.

“The actual report is nonsense compared with something that’s happened in the last week."

The specimen was then passed around the planning committee for members to inspect.

The applicant, Mr Sheridan, was seeking permission for a mix of four and five bedroom homes on land to the rear of the Dog and Partridge pub off Medlock Road.

In total 59 objections had been lodged against the plans from residents.

A range of concerns were raised, including fears that the development would worsen highway safety, it was out of character for the area and would result in the loss of wildlife habitat and a green space.

Cllr Briggs also argued that the access to the site would not be safe because of poor visibility, and any traffic calming measures proposed by the developer were a "red herring".

He told councillors that people had been recorded speeding nearby at more than 50mph – despite the limit of Medlock Road being 20 mph.

“I fail to see how a traffic calming measure can clear the visibility aspect, that visibility aspect is a constant that’s going to remain there,” he said.

“A flawed transport report, a nonsensical idea of trying to mitigate visibility with some crackpot idea of traffic calming.

“I’ve proved the point about our friend the Great Crested Newt, and I ask you to reject this ridiculous application.”

Planning chiefs had recommended the application for approval, arguing that the site was already allocated for housing.

They stated that it would not have a harmful effect on neighbouring residential amenity, or the Woodhouses Conservation Area.

Planning officer Graham Dickman said: “There is recognition that the site is in the conservation area, and to try to ensure that these areas of open space are not dominated by the development.”

He said they had consulted with the Greater Manchester ecology unit which had no record of any protected species on in in the vicinity of the site – including great crested newts.

“In this case we’ve not seen the newt in question, but it was clearly not on the site itself where it was found so there is still no evidence that the site is used by these species,” Mr Dickman said.

“Even if one newt had been found on this site, and of course that’s not the case, that in itself would not justify a refusal of the application.”

Agent for the applicant, Simon Plowman said that the shortage in housing locally meant it was suitable for development now.

“The scheme for 17 houses provides family housing, as required by the policy, and over and above the original submission,” he said.

But Failsworth West Cllr Peter Davis moved that the application be rejected over the concerns about visibility on the highway.

And a majority of the panel voted to reject the plans.