The decision about whether to grant Village Green status to a piece of land at the junction of Caldershaw Road and Cut Lane in Norden is to be passed on to an independent expert following a meeting at Cheshire East Council yesterday following a late objection by Rochdale Council.
The decision which was already being considered by an external local authority owing to Rochdale Council having a conflict of interests in the matter will now be passed to a further independent expert to consider if the objection is admissible.
It had been the recommendation of officers from Cheshire East Council for the committee to approve the village green application and it was hoped that a final decision on the future of the site would be made yesterday.
Local resident Mark Hope who represents the 'Friends of Heritage Green' was accompanied by ward Councillors at yesterdays committee meeting where they spoke in support of the land becoming the first official village green in Rochdale. Addressing the committee they spoke of the community benefit that the land provides to local families and the fact that it is Rochdale Council policy to support such spaces.
Speaking after the meeting Mr. Hope Said: "This is a very complex application which we have now been fighting for three years, so we were understandably frustrated by the outcome. That said we put a good argument forward to the committee and they seemed to be sympathetic to our case. This will be a disappointment to many local people who though that this would have been concluded, but we will keep on fighting."
Councillor Mike Holly said: "It has been a pleasure to be here to support the Friends of Heritage Green. Clearly it is disappointing that the application for village green status has not been approved, but all is not lost. The fact that Cheshire East Council are taking this for further advice means that the campaign continues."