THOUSANDS of protesters from across Oldham and beyond marched to the top of Tandle Hill in Royton to protest over plans to build more than 4,000 homes on green belt land over the next 20 years.

Residents’ groups from Royton, Shaw, Chadderton and others from Newhey, Milrow and Slattocks were joined by Oldham West and Royton MP Jim McMahon for the event on Sunday.

Despite the wet weather more than 4,000 people turned out as part of the campaign to prevent the plan contained in the Greater Manchester Spatial Framework plan.

The plan, originally published in 2016, was sent back by Greater Manchester metro mayor Andy Burnham to be redrawn, but the latest version has ear marked a further 457 homes on green belt land in the Oldham.

Noel Mahon, chairman of the Save Royton’s Greebelt group told The Oldham Times: “We are very pleased with the turn out bearing in mind the unfortunate weather.

“It was very good natured and peaceful protest with groups from all the affected areas uniting with one voice.

“We certainly think it should make the powers-that-be sit up and take notice.

“We believe strongly there is sufficient availability of brown field land and opportunities for regeneration in the Oldham area to render building our valuable green belt unnecessary.”