Beloved green space closed off again as council makes further investigations

A piece of green space previously touted for development is set to undergo more investigation work on some ‘areas of contamination’ that may need treatment depending on the site’s future use.

The patch of land off Hare Hill Road in Littleborough, known locally as Pembroke Park, has been a battleground between residents and the council in recent months. In February, locals were in uproar when the council fenced off the land in order to investigate if it was feasible for houses or a car park.

Residents surrounding the former gasworks site were fuming after getting the letter from the council saying the land would be fenced off for the next five weeks.

Once the fencing came down locals descended on the popular dog walking spot to find grass churned up, bricks and rubble left where flowers used to grow, and what they described as a muddy mess.

 

 

Now the area has been closed off again after the council found some ‘areas of contamination’ that may need treatment depending on the site’s future use. A ‘more detailed investigation’ is now being conducted which should determine whether housing on the site is viable or not.

Kuiama Thompson, director of public health and communities at Rochdale Borough Council, said: “We have now received some initial findings following site investigations at the former gasworks site off Hare Hill Road, Littleborough. These findings indicate that in parts of the site there might be contamination which may require treatment depending on how the land will be used in future.

“We have taken the decision to close the area temporarily as a precaution while we facilitate a more detailed investigation.

“We won’t be able to make any decisions about the future of the site until we receive the results of this investigation. Depending on what treatment is needed, development for housing may not be viable.”
 

Read more: The village green space left ‘trashed’ by Rochdale CouncilPublished: 05 April 2024

The land has been eyed for development in the past- but the ground was not deemed suitable, according to residents. There is no guarantee that any work will happen in the future, but for the Protect Pembroke Park group, the fear of the unknown has been rife.

Heather Campbell, from the Protect Pembroke Park’ group, previously told the Local Democracy Reporting Service this was an ominous sign of things to come.

“Why would you park here when the station is all the way down there,” the 65-year-old said, gesturing towards Littleborough station just under half a mile down the road. “There is a station car park as well.

“There is a great big development down the road where there are going to be hundreds of houses. I don’t think Littleborough needs anymore.

“They’ve not improved the infrastructure, it’s a one horse town and there is nowhere to put any new roads. They say they’re investigating, but to what end?

“It’s the lack of clarity and communication that gets me. It is the fear of the unknown. It’s a very small village which has a lot of traffic already.”

With a huge 300-home development planned for nearby Hollingworth Road, concerns of overcrowding and pressure for places in schools and GPs is a topic that is not going away anytime soon.
 

Read more: Plans for 312 homes in Littleborough submittedPublished: 30 July 2024

George Lythgoe, Local Democracy Reporter