'Power to the people' on land

AROUND 100 residents attended a protest over Cosgrove Gardens in Mossley

CELEBRATIONS are under way after Tameside Council halted plans to sell off two plots of land inMossley.

Efforts to save Cosgrove Gardens and Mossley Community Orchard have been successful as it emerged Pugh Auctions have registered the community sites as withdrawn from sale.

Protesters who fought to save the land described the result as "power to the people."

Stamford Road has also been withdrawn to be reconsidered at a later date. However, land at Nield Street and Spring Street remains up for sale.

The decisions follow a Tameside Council meeting with residents on Thursday.

Melissa Baker, from Lees Road, said: "I'm delighted that Cosgrove Gardens and Greaves Street/Cross Street have been removed from the auction listing.

"It really has been a case of power to the people."

Petition

Melissa and her children have helped with planting efforts run by Operation Farm at Mossley orchard and maintaining the cubs' flowerbed.

Her nine-year-old "little eco-warrior" Alex wrote to his MP Jonathan Reynolds and councillors ahead of the meeting.

His letter regarding Cosgrove Gardens read: "Please don't sell the lovely place that we use for the following reasons including: sledging, playing, and having fun."

An associated petition attracted more than 1,700 signatures while a Save Mossley Community Orchard petition accrued more than 1,270.

Mossley resident Dave Jones who helped with the fightback said: "We are thrilled our campaigns to save Cosgrove Gardens and Greave Street have been successful. They should never have been up for sale in the first place. Those of us involved will now take steps to ensure such errors are not repeated and to cement the safe future of these spaces.

"There is bitter disappointment the Spring Street site was not removed from auction and the campaign to save it will continue."

Greaves Street resident Rachel Downham said: "We feel victorious about saving these green spaces but we plan to continue so it does not happen again.

"It is important to ask why Spring Street has not been withdrawn and why Greaves Street is set to be reviewed."

A campaign is being organised to try and stop the sale of Spring Street ahead of the auctions on April 25.

A series of representations were made at Thursday's meeting by Tameside councillors Jack Homer, Frank Travis and Tafheen Sharif as well as Jonathan Reynolds MP.

Councillor Travis said: "Thanks again to all who contributed to the debate about the land sales.

"Carrhill Road is withdrawn from the sale. There is not only public use of the site but a considerable opportunity given the public enthusiasm to support the upkeep of the land.

"Stockport Road/Greaves Street was also withdrawn, as Councillor Fitpatrick is particularly mindful of the "investment" in looking after the space and the community orchard. He does want to further review the site to see how we can ensure the community effort is safeguarded.

"Stamford Road has been withdrawn from this sale but will be reconsidered at a later date.

"I regret that we could not save all but I think that overall this has produced a good result for Cosgrove Gardens and Stockport Road."