Friends of Heritage Green write to council to restate their campaign

Campaign to save the Heritage Green open space on Caldershaw Road for future generations

The Friends of Heritage Green, a group of residents who are passionate about stopping the sale of a playing field in Norden, have written to Councillor Shaun O’Neil, the Chairman of the Rochdale Township Committee, to restate their case and to impress upon him the strength of the local opposition.

http://www.rochdaleonline.co.uk/news-features/2/news-headlines/96448/friends-of-heritage-green-continue-campaign-to-oppose-sale-of-playing-field-in-norden

Rochdale Council want to sell a playing field at the junction of Cut Lane and Caldershaw Road that is regularly used by children in the area. At a meeting of the Rochdale Township Committee in March, councillors agreed to postpone the sale of the land until a site visit had taken place.

http://www.rochdaleonline.co.uk/news-features/2/news-headlines/94579/people-power-postpones-sale-of-land

It is understood that Rochdale Council is now looking to arrange that visit for some time in July.

In a letter to Councillor O’Neil, it says: “I am writing to you in advance of the planned site visit and the forthcoming Rochdale Township Committee meeting, where the possible disposal of Heritage Green may be considered again, to restate the reason for the Friends of Heritage Green’s opposition to any such disposal and to advise you of the degree of participation in and support of our association by residents from Norden, Caldershaw and surrounding areas and to advise you of the activities of the association.”

The letter goes on to discuss a number of reasons as to why the land should be saved from disposal, including leisure and recreation, house building, traffic and parking and anti-social behaviour.

The main reason for the group wanting to stop the disposal of the land is their “desire to ensure the continuing use of this green open space for recreational purposes and leisure time occupation by local residents.”

Concerns have been raised about potential house building on the site.

Previously, the group state “there was chaos when development was undertaken nearby, resulting in newly built houses having to be demolished, a digger sinking into Heritage Green and having to be craned out, extensive pile driving having to be undertaken to stabilise the area and great disruption to the roads, access and residents environment and enjoyment in the area.”

The group also raise concerns about traffic and parking and state that “there is already a concern with traffic and parking around this area, particularly at the time of the school run and events at St Vincent’s RC Church.”

The final point that the group addresses is anti-social behaviour and despite there currently being no incidents of anti-social behaviour, the group are concerned that “current plans to build on part of the site would result in a more closed off area being left, which might attract more anti-social behaviour and have safety implications.”

The letter ends: “I would like to conclude by urging you and the Rochdale Township Committee, on behalf of the Friends of Heritage Green, to decide not to dispose of Heritage Green and instead, take note of the views of the residents from Norden, Caldershaw and the surrounding areas and their reasons for opposing the disposal of Heritage Green, the evidence they have provided as to their use of Heritage Green and their wishes for its future and the strength of their opposition as manifested in their numbers, actions and activities.”

It is expected that a decision on the land will be made at the next meeting of the Rochdale Township committee on Wednesday 22 July.