Bloom and gloom

Date published: 13 June 2014


DISMAYED residents are fuming that their popular local park has been left looking like a freshly-ploughed field.

Liberal Democrat councillor Diane Williamson joined householders on the Otmoor and Charlbury Way estates in Crompton over the destruction of Wendlebury Green.

Councillor Williamson has asked senior council officers for work to create a wildflower meadow to stop and the grassland to be reinstated.

“I wasn’t prepared for what met us when we called to see for ourselves. My heart sank. To my and the residents’ knowledge, there hasn’t been any consultation, only notification about some environmental works.

Amanda Lane, of Wendlebury Green Road, said: “I can’t believe what’s going on. We have never been told it was going to be a wildflower meadow. I knew nothing until a tractor came and started ploughing up the park. It’s not a disused piece of land; a lot of children - including mine - play there.”

Councillor Dave Hibbert, cabinet member for environment and housing, said the scheme would boost Oldham’s chances in Britain in Bloom — but promied work would halt until there had been further consultation.

He said: “As part of our entry into Britain in Bloom we are planning to turn an area of Wendlebury Green into a wildflower meadow.”

He explained wild flowers would attract a range of bees and insects and would benefit nearby allotments: “The work is aimed at supporting additional biodiversity, which grass alone doesn’t achieve.

“But we haven’t yet fully consulted with local residents. No further work will be undertaken until we have had the opportunity to meet with them. We apologise for the oversight.”