Saturday 16 January 2010

Manchester Green Party wholeheartedly welcomes the outcome of Thursday's Council Planning Meeting, concerning the proposal for Chorlton Meadows.

The proposal, to build football pitches across the Hardy Farm part of the Meadows, including floodlighting, and an all-weather pitch, had been vigorously opposed by local residents and environmental campaigners in the area. It has been described in more detail in previous blog posts.

The meeting was witnessed by about 80 members of the Save Chorlton Meadows campaign. As the topic was discussed the councillors on the committee voiced a range of objections to the scheme, and unanimously asked the planning officers to overturn their earlier consideration to approve, and provide reasons for rejection. Before the final decision, which would clearly have been rejection, the developers withdrew their plans and stated that they would not take it to appeal.

Green Party Candidate for Chorlton, Brian Candeland, (pictured at the Meadows) was present at the meeting, and said:

'This is a great victory for people power, and a huge tribute to the enthusiasm and hard work of the Save Chorlton Meadows campaign. Of the very many responses raised in the planning process 87% were opposed to the plans, and the Facebook Group for the campaign achieved over 6000 members. As a result a beautiful local amenity has been preserved for all the community. The cross-Party support in the Chorlton area has also been a great help.

This isn't necessarily the end of the matter however; the developers can always return with revised plans. We support the establishment of a village green on the meadows, to provide future protection.'

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