Battle to save the sell-off of green havens

SEVERAL community groups have been involved in the establishment and upkeep of Mossley Community Orchard, one of the areas put up for auction

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CAMPAIGNS have been launched to save green space in Mossley after Tameside Council put land up for sale.

More than 100 residents turned out for a demonstration to halt the sale of Cosgrove Gardens, in Carrhill Road.

A second campaign to save the much-loved Mossley Community Orchard off Greave Street and Cross Street has also been set up with an associated petition. The gardens and orchard are two of five pieces of land set to go up for auction on April 25.

A Tameside Council spokesperson said the decision was taken to maintain and safeguard services, and pointed towards a 2016 consultation in which Tameside residents said council land should be sold off to achieve this.

Public opinion on individual sites will be considered prior to auction and there will be a public consultation over future planning applications.

Mossley resident Dave Jones set up the Protect Cosgrove Gardens (PCG) campaign which saw some 100 residents take part in a recent protest.

He said: "I was angry when I heard the news and it became quickly clear that lots of other people shared that view. These gardens are a place of safe play and enjoyment for children, and provide calm, tranquillity and respite. We simply will not rest until the gardens are taken off the 'for sale' list."

A Save Cosgrove Gardens petition has accrued more than 1,000 signatures to have it permanently removed from the list of land 'for sale'. Residents have also pledged to maintain and preserve the community space so it can be enjoyed by future generations.

The march over Cosgrove Gardens - also known to residents as Carrhill Park - was followed by a public meeting about the future of the five sites with a turnout of more than 200 residents. A Save Mossley Community Orchard petition has reached almost 900 signatures.

Hundreds of daffodils were planted at the site last March by more than 50 volunteers. Operation Farm, Abundance Tameside, Mossley Makes, Incredible Edible Mossley and 1st Mossley Scouts are among the groups who have contributed to the orchard.

Residents said via the petition: "We are dismayed that the land in which the orchard is situated is scheduled for sale and request that the council re-considers and preserves a much-loved community asset."

Campaigners will meet with the council on Thursday after sending a letter calling on them to reconsider the decisions made at an executive cabinet meeting on March 25.

A Tameside Council spokesperson said: "As part of extensive public consultation in 2016, Tameside residents expressed a view that council land and assets should be disposed of to maintain and safeguard services. Prior to auction, full consideration is given to locations, public amenity and access issues. Public opinion is also considered. When sold, planning permission is required if the new owners wish to use any of the sites for an alternative use. Any planning applications will be subject to the usual statutory consultation process - at which time members of the public are allowed to make representations."

Land listed for sale on the TMBC website includes Cosgrove Gardens as well as areas in Spring Street, Greaves Street, Nield Street and Stamford Road.