Disappointment for Friends of Springfield Park

Welcome to Springfield Park

The Friends of Springfield Park group were left disappointed on Wednesday evening (5 March) after councillors decided to hold off on making a final decision regarding plans for Mereside House.

The friends group made a presentation to councillors on the Rochdale Township Committee asking them to support their idea to turn Mereside House into a café for the park.

Even though many councillors supported the idea and sung the praises of the group, the decision was made to examine all options surrounding the house and for officers to present a report to the Township Committee in September.

Upon receiving the decision from councillors, chairman of the friends group Ian Birchenough was disappointed and said: “With all due respect councillors, I think if you wait until September then you may not have a friends group at all. Each time we bring in a proposal it takes years for a decision and this just looks like it will get pushed into the long grass again.”

The decision from councillors came after concerns were raised about the safety of the house and what would happen to current occupiers of the house, Link4Life. Mr Birchenough told councillors that gardening staff at the park had been told that the house was unsafe but Link4Life officers who manage the golf course were still using the site.

Councillor Terry Linden said: “If that statement is true then I am very concerned. In principle I will agree to this and I think a café is a good idea but we can’t just kick people out who are already there when it is going to cost more money.”

Link4Life currently has a service agreement to use the building to store their equipment. The Friends group would like procurement and long term lease of the building to go ahead with their café proposals.

During his presentation Mr Birchenough said: “Hopefully this would bring a major source of income to the park. If the lease were to fold then Rochdale Metropolitan Borough Council would not be affected. If we were to lease the property and make the improvements and then it folded, the council would benefit. We are not looking for money but are looking for your support.”

Councillor Wera Hobhouse fully supported the proposal and said: “I think this is an excellent proposal and we should support what the friends group wants to do.”

Councillor Cecile Biant added: “It is a very good idea but it is still in its infancy and has a long way to go. The service sees this as a proposal and want to leave all options open but they are very interested in this idea.”

Councillor Richard Farnell said: “It is a great idea and I think everyone would love to see that type of facility in Springfield Park, as we see it in many other areas, but we need to assess the practical difficulties that need sorting out before we make a final decision. I think with the support of the council and goodwill, we will overcome those problems but they are not things that can be sorted here this evening.”

Chairwoman of the Township Committee, Councillor Cecile Biant originally wanted a report presented to councillors at the June Township meeting but thought that did not give officers enough time.

The September meeting is scheduled for Wednesday 10 September.