MEMBERS of the public can now have their say on plans to protect an internationally important habitat just outside Warrington.

Places for Everyone is a long-term plan of nine Greater Manchester districts for jobs, new homes and sustainable growth.

It aims to ensure that all new developments protect green belt land from the risk of unplanned development across these boroughs.

As part of this plan, members of the public can now have their say on two consultations that aim to protect important habitat sites.

One of these sites is Holcroft Moss, which sits outside Galzebrook and is a designated European Special Area of Conservation.

The lowland covers internationally important peat bog habitats that have developed over thousands of years.

Due to the fact that the lowland bog habitat is next to the M62, it is believed that nitrogen emissions from vehicles could slow the restoration of the peat bog.

“To mitigate against this harm, there is a need for the delivery of long-term ecological resilience works, involving hydrological restoration measures to benefit Holcroft Moss,” the planning documentation states.

Together with Places for Everyone, Warrington Borough Council are proposing ways in which to improve the resilience of the habitat to air pollution.

One of these solutions is that some developments will have to pay towards these restorative measures.

“Qualifying developments, resulting in increased traffic flows on the M62 past Holcroft Moss of more than 100 per day or 20 Heavy Goods Vehicles per day, will be required to make a proportionate contribution towards restoration measures at Holcroft Moss,” the planning document states.

“Contributions will be sought on commencement of development to ensure the mitigation measures can be provided in a timely manner to offset the impacts.

“Individual legal agreements will specify timeframes for financial contributions to be spent.”

Residents can have their say on these consultations until December 12. For more information, click here.

“Places for Everyone is our plan to improve employment opportunities for our communities, deliver the homes that Greater Manchester needs, revitalise our town centres, and rejuvenate our green spaces,” said Paul Dennett, city mayor of Salford and Greater Manchester.

"It’s also our best defence against costly unplanned development.

“These documents will help us to ensure that, through Places for Everyone, the right safeguards are in place to protect our natural environment, including the most important habitats in and around the city region."