Chorlton Meadows Village Green Application

Yesterday the application to grant Village Green status to the Hardy Farm Playing Fields was rejected by Labour Councillors.

The Application which would have preserved the Meadows for future generations; and which was supported by hundreds of local residents, was thrown out by just 5 Labour Councillors.

Earlier this year I supported local residents who submitted the application to grant Village Green status to the Hardy Farm playing fields because I recognise how valued this land is by local people and its importance to the environment. I’m proud to have fought to preserve these Meadows for the future alongside hundreds of local residents and my Lib Dem colleagues, John Leech MP and Cllr Paul Ankers. Unfortunately yet again the Manchester Labour Party has ignored Chorlton’s residents and failed to take steps to protect our environment from development.

At the Committee I spoke up in favour of the village green application. I told the Committee that by rejecting the application they would be disregarding the views of hundreds of Chorlton Residents. Unfortunately despite a strong Application and widespread support, the Application was rejected by Labour Councillors 5 votes to 3. We are pleased to say that all the Lib Dems at the Committee voted in favour of the application. I feel this judgement echoes the Labour decision last August to grant permission for harmful floodlights at WDCAFC Grounds, which is next to the Meadows.

Whilst my colleagues and I are incredibly saddened by the decision Labour councillors have made we will continue to fight to protect Chorltonville Conservation Area, Chorlton Meadows and the Mersey Valley from development. I would also like to thank the local residents who put so much time and energy into producing the Application; and all those residents who supported it.

Please get in touch if you would like to discuss this matter further or if I can be of any assistance with another issue.