MY name is Terry Sumner, I am a resident of Billinge and a member of the Save Billinge Village team that has worked hard since the news in November that there was a proposal to develop houses in Billinge.


When we organised a meeting in Billinge, the local parish hall was packed. More than 50 people had to go home because they could not get in to the meeting and this was on a rainy night in Christmas week in December.


The passion of the residents is immense and they are now deeply concerned they are not being heard.


The proposed development is on a field on Billinge Hill.


This is an area of beauty and a regular area of activity for walkers, joggers, horse riders, cyclists etc.


Many visiting people are from other parts of the borough. 


The area is home to many types of wildlife.

Billinge has some of the best agricultural land in Merseyside and this should be recognised for quality food production.


Billinge Hill is the highest point for views in the borough and more counties can be viewed from the top than any other location.


We have a slightly different strategy than some other areas simply because we are allowing the council to follow their process.


We are delighted that more brownfield sites have been recognised for development but we do feel strongly that Billinge should not have to use a area of beauty and green belt because it doesn’t have a brownfield site.


We are unique in some respects as we have already had many houses build on the Wigan side of our boundary.


Garswood also have development planned, all use Billinge infrastructure. There is one main road through Billinge, the main A571 St. Helens to Wigan.


We feel at times that we are the ‘Forgotten Village’ – not a bad title.


Terry Sumner, via email