Newly-formed campaign group fights plan to sell off 'invaluable' woodland

A newly-formed campaign group is fighting plans to sell off an 'invaluable' woodland in Littleborough for housing.

Formerly home to Stubley Mill, the two-acre site between Mill Fold Gardens and the River Roch is to be auctioned off later this month.

The auction prospectus promotes the land – known locally as Mill Fold Woods – as being suitable for a housing scheme of eight luxury homes.

Alternatively, it says, the plot could accommodate 25 homes in a higher density scheme, were the pond to be filled in.

But the plans have ‘horrified’ residents of the nearby Stubley Mill Estate, who have formed a campaign group to ‘secure the site for future generations’.

Save Mill Fold Woods was initially born out of a Facebook group that gained more than 100 members in a matter of hours.

It has since been backed by existing local groups, including Smithy Bridge and Littleborough Save the Green Belt.

The group is now lobbying Rochdale Council to declare the woods an asset of community value, under powers in the 2011 Localism Act.

This would allow the authority to declare a six-month hold on the sale, giving the group the chance to put together a community-led, crowdfunded bid for the site.

In the meantime, campaigners’ aim to send prospective developers a message that any scheme would face passionate local opposition.

 

 

The land is said to be home to a variety of wildlife, including deer, herons, badgers, foxes, and the protected kingfisher.

Crossed by two footpaths, it is popular with dog walkers and provides children with an area of nature in which to play and explore.

Group co-founder Jules Howliston has made plain her opposition to any development at the site.

“I will fight to protect this woodland for the sake of the animals, environment, and to preserve the quality of life for our community,” she said.

Zoe Lawton, of nearby Nanna Maggs Childcare, is also campaigning to save the area from development.

“The woods encourage the children’s imagination to flourish. Our minis often like to go hunting for fairies hidden in the undergrowth,” she said.

“Being part of nature is so important for little ones to develop individual thinking. The woods are an invaluable asset to the community.” 

A meeting was held last week with Councillor John Blundell – a member of Rochdale Council’s cabinet.

Councillor Blundell said: “It’s great a community group has formed and I was interested to hear what they want to see on the land long term.

“They asked me to look at the council purchasing the land and I will look into this on their behalf. It would be great to see a forest developed in this area.”

He added: “It’s important, especially in that area, that we maintain some green areas like that.

“I’ve taken it away to speak to senior members of the council, and directors, to see if we could look at buying the land itself or what further measures they can put in place.

“I’ve also offered council support in any attempt to make it an asset of community value.”

Plans to build four detached homes on the site were refused by the council in September 2009 and again at appeal in April of the following year.

As well as being classed as protected open land and part of the ‘green space corridor’, it is understood the land would need extensive mitigation work to protect any development against flooding.

‘Land at Stubley Mill’ is scheduled to be auctioned on 25 March at a guide price of £50,000.

SDL Property Auctions is holding an online event which will be streamed online in real time.

Nick Statham, Local Democracy Reporter