Bid to protect region's 'most important' habitats

The South Pennine Moors have been identified as an important bird habitat

Plans to better protect two internationally recognised natural habitats against "costly unplanned development" have been announced.

Members of the public have been invited to study proposed new safeguards for the uplands of the South Pennine Moors and the peat bog area of Holcroft Moss in Warrington.

Greater Manchester Combined Authority wants to provide clearer guidance on what can be built near such areas and what mitigation measures would be required before development plans could be approved.

The combined authority's sustainable development lead, Salford City Mayor Paul Dennett, said the proposals would help protect the "most important habitats in and around our city region".

The plans aim to protect Holcroft Moss from air pollution caused by the nearby M62

Plans to add the safeguards come under Greater Manchester's Places for Everyone, a plan that zones land for development across nine of the region's 10 boroughs.

Only Stockport is not included in the scheme.

South Pennine Moors is a designated conservation area recognised as an important habitat for birds.

Merlins, golden plovers, and short-eared owls are among the species which the new safeguards aim to protect.

Any proposed development within 1.5 miles (2.5km) of the moors would first require habitat surveys to be carried out.

Unless certain criteria are met, there would also be a ban on development within 440 yards (400m) of the moors.

A separate consultation has also been launched for Holcroft Moss, a protected area of lowland bog known as the only area in Cheshire that has never been cut for peat.

The impact of traffic pollution on the nearby area, which is close to the M62, could have to be considered before any development plans are approved.

The nine Places for Everyone local authorities and Warrington Borough Council have also proposed a package of restoration measures to improve the resilience of the peat habitat to air pollution.

The consultations are open until 12 December.