Council could pull the curtain on Cronkeyshaw funfairs

The aftermath of Cronkeyshaw Common after one of its large scale events.

Rochdale Council's Environmental Management service has proposed that there be no more large-scale events on Cronkeyshaw Common.

This would mean an end to the annual Bonfire and firework display on the Common and no more fairgrounds or circuses, which have taken place on the land for more than 30 years.

The Council may also axe smaller scale community events from the land if Councillors accept the report of the Environmental Management service at tomorrow night's Rochdale Township Committee meeting (Wednesday 12 November).

Some nearby residents have expressed concerns that the Common should only be used for informal recreation and that the land suffers permanent damage whenever there is a large event held there.

The Council report also sites that the Common is not designed for events, with no adequate parking, and that 'such events have an adverse impact on the surrounding streets and residents'.

The Common currently hosts three major events a year and 50% of profits made on these is spent on improvements to the land.

If the plans to end events on the common go ahead then the Rochdale Township will fund a firework display in the Town Centre in future years.

Peter Cunningham, Head of Environmental Management, said in his report: "This is a complex and emotive issue that is not simply down to a matter of objectivity but exists in a context of individual opinions, history and perceptions."