Land swap ‘not what the people want’

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.”