PARK STRIFE
ROW ERUPTS OVER PLAN TO INSTALL 20FT SHIPPING CONTAINER IN GREEN OASIS
RESIDENTS have slammed plans to build a ‘huge’ 20ft shipping container in a park.
The shed in Beech Road Park, Chorlton, will store tools and equipment and will be used by rangers, volunteers and associated groups. But neighbours believe its size will ‘ruin’ the green oasis.
Community group The Friends of Beech Road Park and local stakeholders came up with plans for the container after obtaining funding and permission from Manchester council.
It will also be connected to electric and water mains – which will provide water for gardening and providing drinks for volunteers – at an estimated cost of £6,800. But some residents have hit out at the scheme and claim it will ‘ruin’ the park’s aesthetics. More than 250 people signed a petition in protest but Manchester council has approved the plans.
A council spokesperson said it ‘listened carefully to all feedback received and have adjusted the original plans’ by including a ‘living wall to mitigate the aesthetics of the structure.’
And Chorlton councillors Eve Holt, Mat Benham and John Hacking supported the container. But members of Facebook group ‘Dog Walkers in Beech Road Park’ said they feel misled and ignored by Friends of Beech Road Park.
Member Richard Fountain said: “This was news to us and nearly every other park user apart from the Friends. To say that it was unpopular as an idea would be an understatement.
“We voiced our objection to the container with the Friends, and despite multiple offers to meet and compromise, they continue to be inflexible to opposition.”
A Manchester council spokesperson said: “Following a successful bid from the Friends of Beech Road Park group to our Parks in Partnership fund for storage to be located within the park, we consulted with park users and groups in the local area including the residents at Ivy Court Nursing Home,” they said.
“Based on the evaluation of the location and size of the storage required, we are working with residents and the friends’ groups to facilitate it being installed.”
In a joint statement, the Chorlton councillors said: “There has been a previous consultation on the proposals for the park and as a result of some more recent resident concerns Council officers carried out further consultation with park users and residents.
“As local councillors we are delighted that we’ve been able to secure significant investment into Beech Road park over the last year and we will continue to work with local people and community groups to deliver improvements to the site.
“We appreciate that the park is used for multiple purposes and people hold some different views on priorities. Whilst the installation of an 18 foot container has not been welcomed by all, this will help the local Friends group volunteers to provide the ongoing care and maintenance to this much loved and well used green space.”
The Friends of Beech Road Park Group declined to comment.