Two new soccer pitches the goal

A new lease means a new lease of life for Manor Flats at Greenacres, which will be taken over by Greenacres Sports Association.

The run-down land is public open space but Oldham Council has no funds to maintain it properly.

Now the association has been granted a lease for the land in return for work to improve the site.

The association has already raised thousands of pounds to develop football facilities on the site, and aims to provide two soccer pitches plus changing rooms with showers and toilets.

Now it has a lease, the association will be able to tap into more funds and sponsorship to improve the green space.

The association is made up of members of the Greenacres Tenants and Residents Association, local football teams and a consortium of businessmen.

There have been no objections to the transfer of the public open space.