BURY Council has rejected a petition calling for a debate about the future of Spen Moor.

More than 3,200 people signed a petition opposing plans to build a housing estate on the green site, on the border of Bury and Radcliffe.

It also called for Spen Moor’s future to be discussed at a meeting of the full council, along with retaining a policy for developments on sites designated as “other protected open land” as part of the council’s core strategy.

But petition organiser, Judy Condron, of Sunningdale Close, Bury, received a letter from the council’s chief executive, Mike Kelly, saying there would not be a debate.

Petition rules state debates cannot be held on planning applications and it is understood the council was not satisfied with the wording of the petition.

However, it will still be considered as an objection to the planning application.

Mrs Condron said: “The 3,200 people who signed this petition will be really disappointed. It is a people’s petition and we didn’t get any legal help with the wording of it. We don’t know what to do next. We feel people aren’t being given a voice.”

Peel Holdings has applied to build 191 houses on the site, off Bury and Bolton Road.

The proposals are expected to be considered by the council’s planning control committee in the coming months, but a date has not yet been set.