Stressed-out hedgehogs and badgers around a paintball centre in Greater Manchester's largest area of green belt woodland are getting a "right to roam". A backdated planning application for the fun-seekers facility - launched in 2014 - has been approved by councillors on Salford's planning and transportation regulatory panel.
But after concerns were raised about the disturbance and threat to rare mammals in the area, it was agreed that fencing around the Delta Force Paintball site at Botany Bay Wood in Eccles should allow animals like hedgehogs and badgers to pass through. The condition on the approval followed comments by Councillor Bob Clarke, who said: "My heart sinks. This is green belt land.
"It [the paintball centre] is devastating for nature. We are seeing a large part of a wooded area turning to trash. It should be left to wildlife and paintballing should go to a brownfield site, and be built for purpose. It's horrendous." His colleague, Coun Philip Cusack noted that the site is encircled by wire mesh fencing.
