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Red Moss - Saved!
19 May 1995
Red Moss, the Bolton bog site of special scientific interest (SSSI) that has been described as 'the ugliest nature reserve in Britain', has been spared from imminent plans for its destruction by a last minute intervention by John Gummer, Secretary of State for the Environment.
Bolton Metropolitan Borough Council had planned to publish on Monday proposals for the SSSI to be used as a waste disposal site but has been told by the Government not to adopt proposals that would damage this site.
The announcement to spare the bog follows the threat of legal action by Friends of the Earth made on Wednesday.
In February, Friends of the Earth called on John Gummer to intervene and use his powers to quash plans that would have contravened Government planning policy on waste disposal. Since the Environment Secretary had failed until now to act, FoE had this week announced that it had instructed its lawyers to prepare to legally challenge the council's plans when they were published on Monday.
Tony Juniper, Senior Habitats Campaigner at Friends of the Earth, said:
"This is very good news. Not only does it save the bog but also saves the taxpayer having to cover our legal costs. Our arguments would have been upheld by the Courts and the council made liable for our expenses".
"We are now pressing for official action to restore the bog's natural glory so that local residents and schools can make the most of this marvellous natural treasure".
Had the waste site plans gone ahead, the Moss and its wildlife would have been destroyed and a resource of potentially great value to the local community lost forever.
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ENDS
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Published by Friends of the Earth Trust
Last modified: Sep 2008
