Fight goes on to save land from contractors

TREE top protest . . . John Jackson makes his feelings known

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RESIDENTS continue in their battle to save land at Keb Lane as contractors threatened to chop down trees at the Bardsley site.

The land has been earmarked for a new 26-build social housing development after First Choice Homes Oldham (FCHO) submitted plans to Oldham Council.

A decision to cut down four trees on the green space near to Levington Drive has been postponed until Monday after a five-hour protest around the site yesterday.

FCHO said the delay was to allow discussion with residents about the need for affordable housing in Oldham.

The proposals form part of wider plans to address the lack of affordable homes in Oldham by building 200 properties.

Police from the Oldham division were called to the site and remained there for the duration of the protest.

John Jackson (43) was one of three residents to climb the trees in protest while others surrounded the barriers laid out around the four trees.

He said: "Taking these trees down is reckless. People need time to voice their complaints."

Protests

Residents protested on the grounds of a nest in one of the trees - it is not known whether this nest is active - and also on FCHO's reasons for chopping the trees down before planning permission has been granted.

The alarm was raised when resident Debbie Barratt spotted Oldham tree surgeons Treelink arriving at the site with machinery at 8.30am.

Debbie, of Levington Drive, said: "We are very upset by this action. I saw the tree surgeons arrive in the morning and did not move from the land all day.

"Until FCHO get planning permission, there is no reason for these trees to come down."

Peaceful protester Linda Dutton said: "They just turned up. We think they came to chop them down to create an access way to the site but the plans haven't yet been approved.What other reason do they have to do this?

"We want to save the land."

Treelink used specialist equipment to climb the tree and investigate the nest but could not determine whether the nest was active.

Residents contacted the Royal Society for the Protection of Birds (RSPB) over the issue.

Councillor Kaiser Rehman said: "We have a shortage of housing so we understand FCHO's point of view. Our relationship with them has been good and we want to maintain those but we also see that there are residents who are worried about this proposed development.

"The community's voices need to be heard because they are important stakeholders here.

"FCHO owes no legal obligation in this case but they do owe a moral obligation to the residents, especially with many people in Bardsley being their customers.

"We are not against the development but residents are correct in saying that this will create a disturbance to them and the area."

FCHO said they remained committed to the housing development and believe that this will help provide affordable homes.

Assistant Director of Assets and Investment at FCHO Robbie Mannion said: "Following discussions on site today we have agreed to a brief pause in activity; allowing time for local representatives to discuss the agreed need for affordable housing across Oldham with local residents.

Meeting

"FCHO wants everyone in Greater Manchester to live in a home they can afford, and this development is part of making that happen."

A meeting will take place at Bardsley Methodist Church in Keb Lane at 7pm tonight when residents and Councillor Rehman will discuss the issue.