TOWN Hall bosses have acted speedily to declare part of Walmersley a conservation area.

They took urgent action after hearing that housebuilders were interested in developing the former Walmersley Brewery.

The site, and nearby Christ Church, both date from the early 19th century. Conservation officers say the two sites form an area of significant architectural and historic interest.

In an unusual move, councillors have agreed to designate it a conservation area, and then to consult the public and heritage experts. They justify this approach on the grounds of urgency, and say the designation can always be lifted if people do not want it.

The brewery is in Walmersley Road, just north of Springside Road, and is currently the home of Spur Petroleum Ltd and Valepress care valeting. Conservation area status would prevent the buildings being demolished and put restrictions on how they can be redeveloped.

Councillors have also voted to create two more conservation areas: one covering All Saints in Whitefield, and the other is the Poppythorn Lane area of Prestwich.

The three new conservation areas come as Bury Council unveils its first strategy to protect the borough's heritage.

The strategy charts the area's development as a settlement from 4000BC, through the Bronze Age, the Roman occupation and Anglo-Saxon times to the present day.

It also looks at the best ways to protect and enhance local sites over the next five years, and explains the value of designated sites such as the medieval Radcliffe Tower, the Peel Tower, and conservation areas such as Ainsworth, Ramsbottom, and St Mary's in Prestwich.

The strategy costs £1.50 from local libraries. The town centre historic trail pamphlet, also £1.50, is available at Bury Tourist Information Centre.