The racecourse would be on agricultural land near the 1,700 acre Botany Bay Wood. Around 30 race meetings a year would each attract 20,000 punters. Opponents fear this will cause traffic chaos and damage the environment. The developers say they will counter congestion fears by building two entrances: one via a new spur off the slip road to junction 13 of the M60 at Worsley, the other off the East Lancs Road, at Boothstown.
Protesters say this is not good enough. Three residents’ associations from Worsley and Boothstown have linked up to fight the proposals, calling themselves the Residents Against Greenbelt Erosion. RAGE spokesman, Robin Garrido said: “The racecourse is not in keeping with the area. It will be a disaster for traffic and pollution. There will be 10,000 extra cars on the road on a race day. Greenbelt is meant to be a green lung. We should try to preserve the land and open the footpaths to the public.”
Fierce opposition to Peel Holdings’ initial plans two years ago led to it withdrawing the proposals before they went before a committee. The developer has since revised the project, removing a golf driving range, pub and scaling back a 70-chalet village. Peel, which also owns the Trafford Centre, has offered to plant 104 hectares of woodland and set up a 205 hectare nature reserve. It estimates that 500 jobs will be created by the return of racing to the region following the closure of the Castle Irwell course in 1963.
The Campaign to Protect Rural England (CPRE), which lobbies against development on green belt land, has called on Salford council to reject the planning application. Lancashire CPRE trustee, David Clarke, said: “Economic considerations should not be put ahead of environmental concerns.” The planning application will be submitted to Salford city council in May and considered later in the year.
Community protests are spreading like wildfire throughout the City of Salford. They are in response to the various regeneration and development blueprints actively promoted by the Labour controlled Salford City Council.
In the Broughton area the Broughton Action Group has criticised the Council’s proposals including the building of new houses on Tully Street Playing Fields. One of their major concerns is that the council are not listening to local people. Broughton Action Group chairman Mike Thorpe has attacked council-backed plans for the £200m redevelopment of the area, claiming the “dream come true” image they lend Broughton has masked the fact local people are still being denied the facilities and support they need most. He claims 2003 was one of the worst years for the area and saw already-dwindling community facilities close down, more resources eroded and local confidence hitting rock bottom in an area rife with child poverty, unemployment, crime and fear on the streets.
But the council has hit back at the claims, arguing that they are listening, and that their investment programme is intimately linked to providing for existing residents. “It’s a very naive view by local councillors,” said Mr Thorpe. “They’re selling off land and new apartments, so suddenly Broughton’s on the up. But that’s not what local people consider to be on the up. The council needs to consult us properly. Last year we saw the closure of Calderwood Community Centre and the destruction of facilities at Albert Park. These were all key community facilities, and they have been lost. There are massive gaps between what people want and what the council are giving them. The lack of opportunities for young people and high level of crime prove it’s no longer on anyone’s priority list.”
Salford Council says Broughton’s £200m makeover by developers Countryside Properties will include an “innovative” housing scheme, community centre and sports facilities Planners aim to build over 200 family homes, ranging from one to five bedrooms on land off Tully Street in place of empty, derelict or rented properties. A second project to build more than 3,000 homes and facilities in Lower Broughton is planned.
Responding to the news of a £200m makeover for the area, centred on a major new housing development on Tully Street playing fields, Mr Thorpe claimed the council was papering over cracks. He added that despite council plans to invest in thousands of new homes, those would attract commuters and city workers without benefit to existing communities. “The council has overemphasised bricks and mortar at the expense of the development of skills, leadership and employment,” added Mr Thorpe.
The local community has responded immediately and several action groups are forming to protest at the lack of consultation and the threat to so many homes. The South Langley Road area is covered with fliers and posters calling for renovation not demolition and accusing the Labour Council of a sell out.
The whole of Salford Council is up for reelection in June and the prospect opens up of community action groups mounting a concerted challenge to the ruling Labour Council by standing community candidates who will listen to and represent the views of local communities. Only through the maximum pressure being exerted on the Council will their disastrous policies be reversed. There is a proposed “Democracy Day” protest on 19 May which local community groups are asked to support. It is very important in the current situation that local communities demonstrate their opposition to the City Council’s disregard for the views and opinions of local people and make their voices heard.
[This summary is based on articles from Manchester Evening News, Barry Woodling (Swinton Open Space) and Salford Advertiser.]
Home
STOP PRESS
Latest newsletter