Residents elated after plans to sell land at Cut Lane and Swift Road were withdrawn

Councillors and residents at Cut Lane

1 More Image(s) In Gallery

Residents in Norden and Bamford were elated tonight (9 March) after plans to sell green recreational space at Cut Lane, Norden, and Swift Road, Bamford, were withdrawn by the Rochdale Township Committee.

Labour Councillor Jean Hornby proposed, and Councillor Billy Sheerin seconded, the motion to withdraw the land from sale.

The plans to sell both sites for housing development had first been proposed over a year ago, but were blocked by local Conservative councillors and a political wrangle ensued.

http://www.rochdaleonline.co.uk/news-features/2/news-headlines/94579/people-power-postpones-sale-of-land

The Conservative councillors argued that both sites were valuable green spaces used by the community and that public consultation regarding the sale had not been carried out.

With the support of Norden and Bamford Area Forums, the councillors formed proactive residents into friends groups’ who have, for the past year, been fighting to have the sites awarded ‘Village Green’ status, which would acknowledge the valuable community asset that they offer and protect them from development.

Proposals to sell the land have now been halted and, regardless of the outcome of the village green applications, which are still pending, the sites will be preserved with their current status.

Norden Councillor Peter Winkler said: "Tonight has been a huge victory for the local community.

"12 months ago Labour councillors from outside Norden and Bamford voted unanimously to sell off these sites without public consultation.

"Today, thanks to substantial pressure, they have made a total u-turn and withdrawn both sites from the sale list.”

Councillor Jim Gartside added: “This outcome is the best that we could have hoped for. Tonight’s victory is great news and we still hope that the sites will be awarded Village Green status in the coming months to protect them further.

“I have been particularly impressed by the determined efforts of the Caldershaw area residents.”

Nigel Morrell, Chairman of the Norden Area Forum, helped to establish the 'Friends of Heritage Green' group which has recently celebrated it's first anniversary. When asked about the withdrawal he said: "Local concerned residents raised the issue of this important environmental resource at the area forum over a year ago and received the support of villages from all over the area. Tonight's decision represents a triumph for us all."

Speaking on behalf of Bamford residents Councillor Pat Sullivan said: “The land at Swift Road is a vital community asset we have worked hard with members of the community to stop the sale. I am delighted that our efforts have resulted in the proposed sale being abandoned. These sites are community assets and should always remain as such.”

Whilst the land has been removed from the list of sites which the council was looking to offer for sale, there is no guarantee for the future.

Speaking after the meeting Councillor Mike Holly said: “Should these sites ever be offered for development in the future we would fight it, as we have to date, to ensure that their recreational use is preserved in perpetuity.”