McMahon’s green blog sparks ‘hypocrite’ jibe

COUNCIL leader Jim McMahon has been branded a hypocrite by members of a residents’ action group after blogging about protecting Oldham’s green spaces.

Christina Gater, chair of the Foxdenton District Protection Group, said she was “disgusted” by what he said.

Councillor McMahon wrote: “Our borough has a real wealth of green space and countryside and we are rightly very proud of it, but we also have an ambition to bring green spaces even closer to our communities by enabling them to do things for themselves.

“From greening alleyways to growing fruit and veg to planting trees, I am committed to making Oldham a greener place.”

Mrs Gater said: “Members of the group are absolutely up the wall about this. I posted the blog on our Facebook page and there are hundreds of comments — none of them positive.

“The council leader bangs on about protecting and treasuring our green spaces, but we have been protecting and treasuring Foxdenton for years and years and we are about to lose it all.

“Their solution to taking our natural green space away from us is to build us new man-made green space. It beggars belief. Local wildlife has disappeared and we will all suffer from increased traffic and pollution.”

The blog highlights the council’s Green Dividend fund which aims to spark and support community initiatives to make places greener. £100,000 will be available as grants to community groups and residents, with another £100,000 for the creation of new green spaces.