TAMESIDE Council has been heavily criticised by people living close to a former heritage centre it is looking to ‘sell off our history.’
And they have the country’s Deputy Prime Minister, Angela Rayner, on board.
The Correspondent told how the authority is looking at a ‘route to market’ for the building at Ashton-under-Lyne’s Park Bridge.
But the thought of it being handed over for cash has sent shivers down the spines of the Park Bridge Residents’ Action Group and Fund.
It has hit out at the ‘lack of consultation’ over the move, which was discussed at the last meeting of its executive cabinet.
And they believe it should be looking to work with those living close to the site, rather than just selling it to the highest bidder.
A Spokesperson for the Park Bridge Residents’ Action Group and Fund told The Correspondent: “It is incredibly disappointing to learn that Tameside Council plans to sell off the Park Bridge Heritage Centre and Stables, a site of significant historical value and a former priceless community asset, without any consultation with local residents and groups such as ours.
“Unfortunately, the building, which houses a local museum, classroom, café, and offices, has been closed for many years due to local funding cuts.
“However, learning that the council now plans to completely wash their hands of this magnificent building is a disgraceful act of betrayal to future generations that could benefit from the potential this community asset still has to offer.
“The Heritage Centre has the potential to once again become a vital community hub, as it was a decade ago, when the Tameside Countryside Service was a properly funded department.
“It educated school children about the historical footprint of the local area and the unique biodiverse environment that surrounds it, hosted local volunteering groups and activities, and provided a safe space for families.
“Beyond its historical and community value, large areas of Park Bridge are designated as Sites of Biological Importance on the Greater Manchester register.
“The site supports rare habitats and wildlife, including ancient woodland, species-rich grassland, and watercourses vital to the local ecosystem.
“The 2007-2012 management plan, developed by Tameside Council itself, recognises the ecological richness of the site and outlines conservation strategies that would be jeopardised by commercialisation.
“Instead of working to restore the site into a proper community facility once again, it seems the council is content to sell off our history for cash.
“There is much more value in having an asset that serves the community and provides much-needed local jobs over another HMO or residential development.
“We demand the immediate block of the sale of the Heritage Centre and urge Tameside Council to provide funding and collaborate with local residents and groups to develop a proper plan to restore the site for community usage once again.”
The residents’ worries were backed up by Ashton MP Ms Rayner, who also took aim at Tameside Council for the way it has acted – and has demanded answers.
In a letter, she wrote: “Please do note that I have raised my concerns regarding the fact that neither your group nor indeed myself as the local MP for this area had been consulted on prior to the decision being made at Executive Cabinet on 30 July 2025, particularly as the site is of such historical importance and its rural location.
“I have made representations to the Executive Leader of the Council, Councillor Eleanor Wills, Harry Catherall, Chief Executive of Tameside Council, Julian Jackson, Director of Place and Councillor Hugh Roderick, Executive Member (Finance and Resources), outlining my concerns regarding the sale of the Heritage Centre and stables, owing to the historical importance of the site and its rural location.
“I have also asked whether they had considered any other options for the future use of the site, in particular, as you raise in your email, the youth offer, which as you state, could give the opportunity for local youth groups, such as scouts and brownies, schools and other organisations to meet and learn about the history of the Park Bridge Iron Works and retain its historical value.
“I also note that your group would be more than willing to establish itself as a registered community group to enable you to bid for external and government funding for youth and other activities on the site.”
A Tameside Council spokesperson said: “We value the location’s heritage and want to work with all stakeholders in bringing the site back into use.
“We are proposing to market the Park Bridge Centre to understand market interest and see if we can identify an appropriate purchaser and use for the property that’s complementary to the location.
“The Centre has been closed as a visitor centre since around 2010, with use on an ad hoc basis for dedicated school workshops until early 2020.
“Over the past five years, the property has remained vacant and, like most local authorities with the current financial pressures, we cannot continue to hold a vacant property that has no operational use or budget to occupy.
“Our property disposal programme is in place to identify opportunities for development and income for the borough while also reducing the ongoing costs and drain on public funding of maintaining property that is surplus to current needs.
“The Centre was declared surplus to council requirements in October 2024, and no-one approached the Council with any concerns.
“We are keen to engage with groups like Park Bridge Residents Group as we continue to carefully explore options.”