Sunday Mirror (Northern Ireland)
We stopped car park near school
When Julia Kovaliova heard of plans to put a 440-space car park yards from her son’s primary school, she knew it would make his pollution-induced asthma worse.
The mum of three started campaign group Trees Not Cars and took the council to court – overturning their decision on appeal.
Julia, 37, began the 18-month legal battle after seeing how 11-yearold Maksim’s symptoms improved on trips away from their Manchester city centre apartment to visit family in Lithuania.
She said: “The council is redeveloping this area, encouraging families like ours to move here, with new housing and schools.
“We expected parks and playgrounds too – but there are few green spaces and a busy ring road. There’s no asthma in the family.
“Maksim was healthy until he was six, three years after we moved to Ancoats. There are 200 children
Kids need clean air to be able to live their fullest life JULIA KOVALIOVA ON BATTLE WITH COUNCIL
in his school already breathing dirty air, many of whom have asthma, but officials didn’t consider the proximity of this building when they gave approval for the car park.”
Despite the court’s ruling and a 12,000-signature petition, the council now proposes to put offices on the 10.5-acre site, rather than the green space locals want to boost air quality.
Julia is urging other parents who watch Coronation Street to lobby local authorities to make the issue a priority.
She said: “It isn’t just a story, we have a real-life example here in Manchester.
“We need clear air. Without it, Maksim can’t live his fullest life.”