THE Save The Backfield Facebook group has fired a parting shot at Tameside Council following the sale by auction of the land they were trying to save in Ashton.
The 0.9-acre site which is between Grove Street and Lindisfarne Road, Waterloo, and known locally as Backfield was sold yesterday (Nov 4) by Edward Mellor on behalf of Darsons Homes for £327,000 with 40 bids received.
Darsons Homes had bought the land from Tameside Council for £160,000 in 2017.
A post on the Facebook group said: “We are sad to report that ‘The Backfield’ was today sold at auction for £327,000. Darsons Homes had originally paid £160,000 for it.
“Tameside Council support property speculators from Halifax rather than the residents of Tameside. Capitalism rather than Socialism!
“Thank you everyone for your amazing support!”
David Broadbent, who launched the Facebook group, added Tameside Council would have sold the land for a higher figure in 2017 had they first gained planning permission.
As soon as developer Darson Homes decided not to build on Backfield – they had planning permission for five detached houses – and sell on the land, residents recently launched the petition which was signed by 530 residents in the space of the last week.
They requested Tameside Council to buy back the land so it could remain open space and children’s play area as it was designated when the estate was built in 1980.
Residents were happy to fund this piece of land in the purchase price of their house as Tameside Council had made it a condition of planning permission that it was to be a ‘kickabout’ area. This is how it was described in the original estate plans.
A Tameside Council spokesperson said: “We understand the strength of feeling among some members of the local community about the land remaining undeveloped.
“However, the council does not have the necessary resources to buy back the land and, additionally, even if we did have the resources the purchase would not meet the test of value for money – the council has no operational or other need for this land so it is likely that our external auditors would regard the transaction as unlawful.
“The issue has been fully investigated by the ombudsman who says the council has dealt with the matter properly.
“Our approach of selling unused land and assets is necessary to help support and fund our capital programme and particularly fund much needed facilities for the borough.”
Bunch of sad people who have nothing better to do with their lives. Can’t wait for house to be built so they pedo can’t look at kids in the back field anymore.
Double your money in a 3 yr investment. STINKS!