Town green appeal lost

Reporter: Janice Barker
Date online: 29 December 2008

Campaigners fighting to protect open space between the Crossley and Fold Green estates in Chadderton have lost their case.

Local resident Ann Day of Lindale Avenue, Fold Green, applied to Oldham Council for the land to be made a town green on behalf of a group of local people.

She says the land — a large area of grass and trees opposite her home, and two smaller areas nearby — has been used for regular pastimes and sports for more than 20 years.

But last week her application was turned down.

Mrs Day, a grandmother, said: “I’ve lived here for 40 years and my children, and grandchildren have played there.

“It has been used by the local church and both of the Queen’s Jubilees were celebrated there.

“We lost because the land has a sign saying ‘no ball games’ on it, so we could not argue that we used it as of right for more than 20 years.”