LOCALS fear their village will be "obliterated" if plans to build a massive newbuild estate go ahead.
Residents say the plans for 1,550 new homes will "kill" the tiny hamlet's rural charm if they get the go-ahead.
The village of Simister, Greater Manchester, is home to 650 people and made up of a church, two pubs, village hall and quaint cottages.
It is just five miles from the bustling city centre, but is surrounded by picturesque rolling fields.
Now, residents fear the new Places For Everyone masterplan set to bring upwards of 1,000 new homes will "kill" the rural charm and "unique sense of community".
The council have already backed down from their original plans of 2,200 homes to 1,550 in the face of fierce opposition from the villagers.
Retired salesman Bryn Thomas, 73, who was out walking his dog Roxy, said: "It is going to destroy the village.
"It is a great place to live and one of the few genuine villages left in Greater Manchester.
"The character of it would be changed what with so many people and all the traffic.
"I take my dog Roxy for a walk around the fields – that would be ruined.
"People have got to have somewhere to live but not on green belt land.
"The council don't seem to care about us – we seem to be at the bottom of their list."
Retired service engineer Michael Clearly, 62, has lived in Simister for 35 years.
The dad-of-two said: "It would be a nightmare to have so many homes and people here.
"The village is just not set up to deal with that many people. It would kill it."
Katharina Germon, 80, has lived in a cottage in the village since 1970, when she used to run the post office.
The mum-of-two said: "It's a terrible idea. I would be devastated if it went through.
"I don't understand what the council is thinking with plans to build on green belt.
"There is plenty of brown land nearby which could be built on."
"The place would be obliterated."
Villagers have put up signs protesting the plans and there have been meetings at the village hall to organise opposition.
Engineer Robert Carr, 60, added: "It's a great place to live.
"Everyone meets up in the pub and there's a great sense of community."
Mum-of-three Elizabeth Pars, 81, who has lived in the village for 50 years, said: "The traffic would be terrible.
"It would ruin this lovely place."
Kevin Burke has lived in his eye-catching cottage – which is decorated with blue and yellow paint and an owl – for 42 years.
The dad-of-two, 82, said: "The plans would spoil the village.
"I know it is a bit selfish as people needs homes but it will change.
"At the moment, it's a great place to live. There is a great sense if community with the two pubs.
"My kids were born here and we just stayed because we felt it was a nice place."
Walking his dog Royston through the village, forestry school teacher Matt King, 48, said: "I'm against the plans – like just about everyone.
"It would spoil the place."
A spokesperson for Bury Council said: "One of the key purposes of Places For Everyone is to identify the land to provide homes and jobs for a growing population to ensure the future prosperity of Bury and maintain our borough’s reputation as a great place in which to live, work and study.
"The Bowlee allocation has the potential to deliver around 1,500 homes in order to diversify the type of accommodation across the Simister, Bowlee and Birch and Langley areas.
"The planning policy outlines what infrastructure – such as schools and local centres – will be provided to support the development and the requirement for the provision of new, high quality, publicly accessible multifunctional green and blue infrastructure to provide health benefits to workers and residents, as well as creating a visually attractive environment."
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