CIVIC society members are mounting a campaign to stop open countryside being turned over to industry.

Borough councillors went against their planning chief's advice in supporting Allsabrook Developments' plans to develop land north of Congleton Business Park.

Allsabrook wants to develop farmland for light and general industry, as well as storage and distribution.

The land boasts special landscape status, and its proposed use for industry has sparked opposition from Congleton Civic and Environmental Society.

The future of the proposals now lie with the Environment Secretary, who has to decide whether to rule on the scheme or allow the council to give it the go-ahead.

Society secretary Catherine Howarth said developing the land would 'wipe out' a valley designated as having special county value.

Development would also greatly increase traffic on the congested Clayton bypass, she said, and would be disregarding the Local Plan.

Society members are to lobby Congleton MP Ann Winterton and environmental groups, and are to hold a meeting at the site on Saturday morning to show the public what they claim will be lost if the land is developed.

In addition the group is planning a public meeting at Congleton Library at 7.30pm on October 26.

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