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Land swap ‘not what the people want’
Date published: 24 June 2010
Oldham’s only Green Party councillor says Failsworth people don’t support a land swap for Failsworth Lower Memorial Park.
Failsworth West Councillor Ian Barker spent two hours at a consultation event at Failsworth Community Education Centre on Monday.
People were able to see alternative sites for the park land which has been declared a charitable trust.
Oldham Council has suggested six alternative sites in Failsworth where the trust could be transferred, as the park land is part of the area proposed for a new Oldham Athletic stadium.
But Councillor Barker said: “It is clear the residents don’t want a change of use for the land.
“Our council should take note of what local people want, otherwise we are going to end up with years of consultations that will cost us all a fortune.”
Comments
Funny John Battye is so quite on the subject. As a Councillor for the ward does he represent his people or football club he bailed out so many times before !!!!
and still ombc ploughs on regardless! it'll all end in tears!
A 10000 signature petition against a stadium in Failsworth. That speaks volumes. About time a politician stood up for us! The rest are like nodding dogs!
Celsus-civis: your asking "what people want" - did you bother going along to pass on the views of the people you spoke to, or ask the questions they want answering? The preceding articles advertising the event did constitute an opportunity for the whole population to participate in the consultation. Cllr Barker views are just a reflection of those he spoke to who took the time to attend. All consultations should have been carried out prior to the questionable closed Cabinet meeting in July 2009
@Celsius_civis. how many people have you spoken to then? What question did you ask them?
The owners of the land at latics should re-develop what they have. It is a provate business and should not get any help from OMBC or any use of council tax payers money.
How much is OMBC spending on all this work?
Barker has soon learnd to be populist and to jump on any passing bandwagon.
The best way forward has to be honesty from the council. They have to compare the benefits and losses then make an informed decision.
Ranting from supporters and opponents does not help.
What we need are facts, e.g. costs, benefits, new jobs, terms and conditions of the rent, public access to pitches, open space, memorial land covenants and justification for preferential treatment to a private company - OAFC. Who is paying to register the land as a charity, it must be thousands?
Have Your Say
So how many people attended the consultation, 10,000, 1,000, 100, 50, 10 or less, until the whole population have been consulted no one can say that 'it is clear that the residents don't want a change of use for the land'...
I have asked what people want and the majority are not bothered at all, the people who live ajacent to this land and the proposed new footy ground are the ones complaining, but not all of these are against the proposals, just want some questions answered...
By Celsus_civis @ 24/06/2010 12:34:46