RESIDENTS have likened it to David tackling Goliath as they oppose the developer who is battling to build 162 new homes and create a new community park on their doorstep.
They claimed there is “overwhelming opposition” to the proposed Tame Valley Park on the site of Hartshead Power Station and Millbrook Sidings and have the backing of Councillor Clive Patrick, who lives in Carrbrook, and Cllrs Jan Jackson and Adrian Pearce.
As a trade off for the new 62-acre community park, the Casey Group would build 162 homes – the minimum needed for the scheme to proceed.
When The Correspondent last month published the Casey Group’s proposals, the vast majority of the comments made on our website were critical.
Gillian, who runs the Churchfields Residents’ Facebook group, said: “I would say there is overwhelming opposition from the feedback we have received.

“Apart from the odd couple who support it, the majority of people we have spoken to are against it.”
Gillian admitted it is difficult because residents do not have the financial muscle to take on the developer.
She said: “It is a David versus Goliath scenario as we take on the big wigs.
“All we can do is to put out the facts and both sides of the arguments and then it is up to people to make their own decision.
“I am trying to stop what I believe will be a disaster from happening.”
Gillian pointed out there will be a loss of green space, eradication of established woodland, loss of wildlife, flora and fauna while no improvements will be made to the existing infrastructure as the development will also affect the Crowswood Estate and communities in Millbrook and Heyrod.
She said: “The established woodland helps prevent flooding and reduces pollution but building the houses will create more pollution.

“It is a case of profit over the environment and it is the wrong development for the wrong reason.”
Gillian also has concerns about the £2 million trust fund the Casey Group is proposing with the interest from the money used to maintain the community hub which is part of the community park.
“There is no mention of the rest of the 62 acres, land that will be handed over,” she said.
Gillian added by the nature of it being a community park the local authority will not be responsible for its upkeep and she fears if it is not maintained the site will become overgrown.
“It may sound great that a £2 million trust fund is being set up. It is easy to see it through rose coloured glasses but there is a lot more to it than the Casey Group are saying,” she said.
Cllr Patrick said: “As a Conservative, I believe in business and the right in this capitalist world for a company to make every attempt to increase their profits.
“But I also believe that this must not be done at the expense of others.
“In this case the Casey development would be very much at others’ expense but for very little gain for the company’s neighbours.
“However wonderful the plans are for this community project, one can’t get away from the fact that the plans are just a smoke screen to build a large number of houses on greenbelt.

“I am very glad the number of houses has been reduced from initial proposals.
“However, their siting on green belt is fundamentally wrong, even if it contains dangerous structures and pollutants.
“Its green belt status was awarded by the council many years ago to simply stop Stalybridge and Mossley running into each other along the valley. This has already started at a rate we must stop.
“The site itself has also had decades to regenerate after the coal industry left. It is already a beautiful place to walk and in which to relax and enjoy.
“All this could be lost if the developers get their way.
“If somehow the dangerous buildings could be cleared without these houses, I would as a councillor welcome it, but that is unlikely to happen.
“Therefore, let nature continue to do its work and if some small parts of the valley, were to remain out of bounds, then so be it.
“If we have learnt anything locally, from this terrible pandemic, it has been how to enjoy the moorland all around us.
“The car parks in the Stalybridge Country Park have been full to overflowing, the hillside has been a kaleidoscope of colour as people have enjoyed the scenery and fresh air.
“Do we need a new park, even if it does have toilets, allotments and order. I think not.”
Cllrs Jackson and Pearce, who represent Stalybridge North, said: “At present the land in question remains in the greenbelt which we support.

“It has been vital to local residents for recreation during the pandemic. We would need to be persuaded that any change of use, including the erection of housing, would not damage the existing site of special scientific interest and would not leave the local community or Tameside with long-term liabilities to manage any proposed country park or the results of any remediation process necessary to restore the land.
“We await the results of the consultation carried out by Casey’s and further information to support their proposal.”
Here is a snapshot of what residents are saying about the proposals.
Craig Rowbottom: “162 houses with single access route via Crowswood Drive, no thought given to the residents of Churchfields Estate.
“With an average of two cars per household just think of the amount of traffic trying to exit Crowswood Drive onto Huddersfield Road at peak times.
“I’m not against progress and fully understand the need for additional housing, Casey have taken the cheaper route when they should have developed another road or upgraded Grove Road.”
D Clayton: “It’s difficult enough trying to get out of Heyrod to school and work during rush hour now with the amount of traffic. Hard enough getting a doctor’s appointment and schools are already bursting and overrun without adding more housing to the area.
“We don’t have the services or infrastructure to support this, much more residents and traffic.”
Jenny Stanton: “The main issue is the access road and volume of traffic on Huddersfield Road.
This was raised at both previous consultations and has still been ignored.
“This will affect all residents of Carrbrook and Millbrook at peak times. We aren’t going to be in lockdown for ever, traffic will resume.
Dave: “What about the wildlife? There are sparrowhawks, green woodpeckers, tawny owls, bullfinch and hundreds of long tailed tits. Yesterday I saw a pair of peregrine falcons soaring low over the old sidings yard. There are deer living there and all kinds of other wildlife. Where do they end up in all this?”
Ashvin Mistry: “The idea of having a community garden as a quid pro quo for the housing development doesn’t work.
“The proposal seems to suggest the upkeep of the community hub will eventually be down to the council, ie. taxpayers. It’s a burden/cost I wouldn’t want the council to undertake in the current climate.
“Also, on past developments in Tameside, I’ve noticed developers not fully committing to the infrastructure development part of the contract once the housing has been built.”
Fishers: “It would be nice to utilise this dangerous and unsightly area. The park would be nice for our family and a short walk from Heyrod.
“Obviously there would need to be improvements to Grove Road and consideration made regarding access on to Huddersfield Road which would definitely become a bottle neck.”
M Stretton: “About time. It’s a disgrace, a dumping ground and unsafe. I won’t walk alone there at the moment.
“Looking forward to a beautiful area instead of an eyesore.”
Just have a walk along the canal from Grove road towards Mossley to see how much this developer thinks about the welfare of the country side. Tonnes of sand have been dug from the woods and is now in the canal. Heavy machinery has pulled out trees to make way for work vehicles to access areas as though they can ride rough shod through the planning process. Who has given them permission for this.
The roads down in the valley need totally sorting out, I agree traffic is bad at heyrod, I do t feel safe walking alone down in the valley and the land where the going towers were is a mess. I do t agree with local people having to sort out what will be the ‘park ‘ it should not be left to us or council, council tax increase, Casey builds it so should do the upkeep.
Crowswood drive does not have the capacity to carry the much increased traffic due to the new planned estate. The new estate needs at the very least a proper additional access beside that from Crowswood. Long queues of cars waiting on Crowswood drive to turn onto Huddersfield road, at peak traffic times everyday, will create significant exhaust pollution (not helped by cutting down of so many trees). The hazard to health, particularly for children and elderly living on Churchfield estate, that this will entail seems to have been totally ignored.
This is an opportunity to build a facility that will benefit the Elderly, Disabled Veterans, and those residents with mental health challenges.
It is a fact Tameside is too dangerous for disabled Scooter users too uncomfortable for wheelchair users and a nightmare for Pram Pushing Parents. We need this facility but how would Tameside afford it? The development money has to come from somewhere the developers will fund it from their profits, my understanding is there is a shortage of housing and what appears to be a majority of a brownfield site is to be used to build the houses. I would rather see nice houses and bungalows than the power station that resembles Ukraine.
I understand lots of the facilities will be of benefit to disabled veterans is this another example of a group of people who have disrespect for those who have been injured in the service of their country? Unfortunately of all the comments against the project, I am at a loss to understand why with the opportunity to improve the health and lifestyle of the Elderly, Disabled Veterans, and Parents with young children that anybody would be against this opportunity.