MEP backs Friends group's battle against driving range

Reporter: Jan Harwood
Date online: 08 October 2009

North West Euro MP Arlene McCarthy has given her support to the Friends of Springfield Park as they battle against the proposed golf driving range for the park.

The Labour MEP has written to the Friends group backing them in their attempts to 'save the park'.

Ms McCarthy said: "The Public Park Assessment (2001) report showed that England's urban parks are in serious decline and so I was disappointed to hear of the planning application which will result in the loss of approximately 12 acres in Springfield Park.

"Springfield Park is a place where local communities from the surrounding areas can enjoy recreational and sporting activities and it will be devastating for residents to lose this space.

"I would hope that due to the Friends of Springfield Park continuing to fight against this application and make the local community's voice heard, that Rochdale Council will make the right decision and reject the proposal to destroy so much of Springfield Park's necessary open space.

"The Council would be best placed to improve the existing facilities, which have been severely neglected. This would benefit not only local members of the community but help encourage visitors to Rochdale and boost the local area."

The Council's arms length management organisation for sport, Link4Life, submitted a planning application to the council for the driving range last month.

The range would comprise a single storey building with room for 30 driving bays, a perimeter fence which could measure up to 20 metres high in places, and associated floodlighting.

Readers should note that the deadline for objections to the golf driving range has been extended to Friday 23 October.