Improvement works to Hough End leisure centre and playing fields have been approved by Manchester Council’s planning committee despite the concerns of local residents.
The works include new sustainable 3G pitches for local clubs and enhanced changing facilities as well as increased parking facilities
1017 letters of objection & a petition of over 3250 signatures against the development at Hough End were received by the council.
Protesters said that the council’s proposals involved ripping up an area of grass and trees roughly the size of Old Moat Park and replacing it with plastic turf and concrete.
That,they said,would be bad news for wildlife, for the climate and for local residents, who’d have to suffer more traffic and more toxic air pollution.
The council said that the plans approved today, took into consideration the concerns from residents which related to environmental impact, loss of public open green space and highways issues, to include further junction improvements, more sustainable car parking, increased measures to improve local biodiversity, reduction in 3G pitch development, inclusion of organic 3G infill pitch solution, and active travel improvements.
Cries of shame were heard from the public gallery as the plans were approved
