Horses to join protest march against Atherton development

Members of Gibfield Preservation Group will be joining the national day of action for nature to highlight what they claim could be lost if a planning proposal is approved.

Still in the pre-planning application stage, Gibfield Park, between Daisy Hill and the Wigan Road area of Atherton, would see 500 homes and an industrial park built.

Peel Land said the area in question had long been earmarked for development and that if the community had any queries or concerns, they would be ‘addressed through the consultation process’.

Part of the land has been used by dozens of horses for decades.

The horses on the Gibfield Park land earmarked for development (Pic: Caroline Wilson – Gibfield Park Protest Group) (Image: LDR)

Horses from a livery yard at Hindley’s Farm, off Wigan Road in Atherton, have delighted passers by and walkers over the years and can often be seen from nearby main roads.

Today, Saturday 18 April the group, along with horses and ponies, will be calling for protection of the Gibfield Park space.

They will meet at 10am on Gibfield Park Way before walking into Atherton town centre to raise awareness of what they claim is ‘the potential devastation of local nature’.

Chair of Gibfield Preservation Group, Amanda Coleman, said: “This is one of the last remaining green spaces in what is becoming a rapidly over-developed area. We want to make sure it is here for years to come.

“We are not just protecting land — we are protecting the air we breathe, the wildlife that depends on it, and what makes this community our home.”

The day of action is organised by the Community Planning Alliance (CPA) with more than 170 groups taking part.

Rosie Pearson, chair of the Community Planning Alliance (CPA). “There is overwhelming evidence about the value of nature and green space to people’s physical and mental wellbeing, as well as to a thriving economy. Yet time and time again we see politicians of all parties deride its importance to our communities.

“This day of action is an opportunity to bring people together in activities to celebrate and protect what we have and demonstrate to decision-makers why we look to them to protect and improve it.”

A Peel Land spokesperson said: “Hindley Farm has a licence to use some of the land owned by the Peel Land Group for horse grazing.

“This land has been identified for future development in the Greater Manchester Places for Everyone Plan, which was approved by Wigan Council in 2024.

“The development of this land will not be immediate as we are currently consulting on a masterplan, which is at an early stage, and a planning application has not yet been submitted.

“Future plans will be subject to further engagement with the local community and any queries or concerns, will, of course, be addressed through the consultation process.”