RBH respond to fears over play area demolition
ROCHDALE Boroughwide Housing (RBH) have moved to allay fears after a councillor claimed that they were planning to develop on children’s play areas.
Cabinet Member for Regeneration, Business, Skills and Employment, Coun John Blundell, said he had seen council documents containing plans for certain council buildings, with the community centre attached to the park earmarked for demolition on the Clover Hall estate.
He claims the plans were contained in a council document on the future of some council buildings.
However, RBH say that the land is mixed-ownership, and would only proceed if Rochdale Borough Council agreed - and the developments would be likely to include improved play facilities.
Coun Blundell said he vetoed the plans at the council’s end.
He added: “I was mortified to see this had even been suggested.
“I immediately wrote to the relevant officer explaining this building and it’s grounds are not for sale for these purposes as long as I am around.”
During the transfer from ‘council homes’ to the social housing group RBH, the park and its playing field at Clover Hall also changed ownership.
In a recent Township meeting, where the borough’s Play Park Strategy was being discussed, Councillor Blundell demanded that the land be earmarked in the council’s Local Plan as protected open space.
This would help councillors to guard against the park being built on should a planning application come forward.
He said: “These post war estates, you all know the type, were built densely but with a designated park or green space that was maintained.
“This land is that estate’s green space.
“It is quite clear this land was transferred because it is an integral part of the estate.
“It is well used and loved by the residents.
“I wouldn’t mind but these houses would be for sale and will not be council homes.
“They won’t help RBH residents or the social housing waiting list at all.”
But RBH say they “only build social housing and do not build homes for market sale or rent.”
In a statement, RBH said: “The land at Clover Hall is in mixed ownership, including RBH and Rochdale Council.
“Any plans for this site would only proceed as part of a joint approach agreed between all land owners, including Rochdale Council.
“This would likely include new or improved play facilities, and local residents would be consulted at the earliest stage about any proposals. RBH is a registered social landlord and a tenant and employee owned mutual housing society.
“We only build social housing and we do not build homes for market rent or sale.”