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A bribe ? or remuneration?

Angry residents in Bolton, UK have accused a businessman of handing out ?bribes? in a bid to keep Harwood Quarry open for longer.

More than 100 people joined a Bradshaw Area Forum meeting on in late September, when quarry boss Matthew Booth spoke to residents about their concerns. Booth, the managing director of Booths Ventures, wants to extend Harwood Quarry?s operations for another 15 years and increase its size.

Residents who live in nearby Brookfold Lane are understood to have been offered ?2000 in compensation if they agree not to object to the plans.

A contract seen by the local newspaper The Bolton News contains a clause that says the residents will waive any objections to the plans they have already made and will not make any new objections to the application. It is understood the majority of residents on the lane have signed a contract.

?Compensation contracts of this nature are nothing new and many companies draw up such agreements,? Booth explained. ?This was nothing to do with stopping residents objecting to our plans, which is their democratic right. The clauses quoted are from one of the early drafts of the contract and when singled out like this do not give a true reflection of the agreement.

?The contract was created to provide some protection for all parties. The company has agreed to carry out improvements which will address residents? objections.?

Booth declined to show the latest version of the contract to the local newspaper.

One resident, who has lived in the-lane for 20 years, said she signed the contract because the company agreed to improve the lane. Another said that wheelwashes were to be introduced and a gulley will be created and that it was a goodwill-gesture by the company. It is not known if those complaining were not offered the contract and subsequent compensation.

More than 300 people have written to object to the plans, which will be decided by Bolton Council ?s planning committee in either October or November.

Sources: The Bolton News, This is Lancashire

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