Proposals to build on Lenny Barn scrapped

Lenny Barn

Controversial proposals to rebuild Falinge Park High School using Lenny Barn playing fields have been scrapped.

Consultation regarding a proposed land swap for the site ran through the summer months. A public meeting was held for people to raise their concerns and 27 separate emails and letters were received.

Not only did the public not want a swap to take place, they did not want building work to take place on the site.

A Charitable Trustees Panel was set up to oversee the process.

In a report presented to the Rochdale Township Committee this evening (Wednesday 10 November 2010), Rochdale Council Officer Elizabeth Cunningham said: “It became apparent during the course of the consultation process that there was outright opposition by local residents to any further development on the Lenny Barn Playing Fields site. This is a cherished piece of recreational land in the heart of the community which the public want to preserve for posterity.”

As a result, a decision has been made not to build on the site.  Falinge Park High School will be rebuilt on its current site.

The report reads: “The Governing Body of Falinge Park High School considered the options which were put to them and made a decision in favour of building the new school within the curtilege of the existing school site.

“In the circumstances, School Service no longer wishes to build upon the Lenny Barn Playing Fields and encroach further on to this site.”

There was always concern about the land swap, which had previously been encroached on for different builds over the years, because a covenant was placed on the Lenny Barn site in 1924.

The land was left to Lady Royds by her husband Clement Royds. She then sold the land to Fredrick Lye; Mr Lye gave the land to the Borough of Rochdale with the following conveyance:

The playing fields to be used by scholars in attendance at schools situated within the beneficial area. A covenant is a legally binding 'promise'.

Lenny Barn campaigner Carl Faulkner was delighted with the decision not to build on the site. He simply said: “I am satisfied.”

It has also been decided that one of the proposed areas of land for the exchange will still be made part of the Lenny Barn trust to make up for previous encroachments.

The land, next to the former Innes School on Ings Lane, will be used as open playing fields.

However, Councillor Greg Couzens did raise concerns about the learning environment the pupils will be in whilst building work is carried out on the existing site. He said: “I am concerned about the disruption to the children.”