Victory for City Parks over Car Parks After residents' groups and local councillors, as well as the Networking Newsletter, raised the public's awareness of planning applications from the local NHS to build a 416 place car park on Platt Fields and a 191 place car park on Whitworth Park, the applications are finally withdrawn. Apparently, council leader, Richard Leese, never knew of the plans and once he heard he had a quiet word with the NHS trust and ensured they were pulled. Mind you, various councillors of various political parties are claiming credit too but as somebody heavily involved in the grass roots campaign said, "it seems pretty clear to me that the local feeling and vast number of concerned letters and e-mails was the deciding factor."

Trees being planted at Whitworth Park in c1904

The original planning applications for Platt Fields (Ref: 071702/FO/2004/S1) mentioned can be found, in brief, at http://www.manchester.gov.uk/planning/applications/20040430/south.htm (scroll down to "Fallowfield Ward"), and for Whitworth Park (Ref 071701/FO/2004/C2) at http://www.manchester.gov.uk/planning/applications/20040507/centre.htm under "Hulme Ward".

To celebrate the return of Platt Fields, there will be a picnic on Sunday 13 June, but please keep your eyes and ears open for similar, unsuitable, planning applications in your area. If you know of any, let us know and we'll spread the word. Let's keep what's left of Manchester's green spaces!

Finally, South Rusholme Residents Association would like to add is "a huge, huge thank you from everyone in the SRRA for the wave of support from people all over the city and beyond."

Michael, Networking Newsletter

Original Email from South Rusholme Residents Association

Hi

I am writing on behalf of the South Rusholme Residents Association to
see if your Newsletter could help mobilise people to get involved with
an urgent threat to Platt Fields Park in Rusholme.

Platt Fields Park is loved by the many residents of the Rusholme area,
most of whom live in traditional terraced housing and do not have
their own gardens.  The park is under threat from a 400+ space car
park, surrounded by 6 metre high lighting towers and 2.4 metre high
metal fences.  As well as the impact on the local population, it will
involve cutting down many old trees and increase traffic flow in the
area.  The car park is not even for local residents, it is for people
who work outside the area.

Local residents have only just become aware of this, and have only 2
weeks to register any protests with the City Council.  (Deadline 2nd
June) (Ed: the actual deadline was debatable since the Council didn't
put notices up until 21 May)

I wonder if you would be willing to help in any way: we are organising
a petition, mounting a poster campaign and contacting the press.

I have all the necessary details and can send you them at once,
including the planning reference and the address to which comments and
objections can be sent.

If you wish to talk to one of us instead of communicating by e-mail,
please let me know and I or another member of the RA can contact you.

Yours
Fran
on behalf of SRRA

Related Articles

• Green Belt in for a Thrashing - The pace of "regeneration" in Greater Manchester is threatening the remaining urban green spaces
• Hebden Woodland Destroyed (Dec 2004)
• Sustainable Development - round up of local sustainable development news

Home     STOP PRESS     Latest newsletter
Events listing     Campaign contacts
Resources    Network for Success
Subscribe now!     Search this site