A few people in favour of the proposed development of a sports zone in Heaton Park keep challenging the “anti” development campaign, including myself and colleagues, accusing us of spoiling things for the kids that want sports facilities.

I am frankly amazed at what little regard some people seem to have for parkland, and especially for something as widely cherished as Heaton Park.

They don’t see a problem with building on parkland, they don’t see the loss – only the gain, almost blinded by the potential gain. And perversely they fail to see that sports can be played on grass parkland as well. In fact unless things have changed isn’t football supposed to be played on grass? Grass parkland is the ultimate in flexible sporting facilities!

Would the same people like to see Bury Council build sports facilities on St.Mary’s park, Barnfield Park or the Clough?

Our parkland has to be protected because once developed it will be lost forever and that would be an apalling legacy to leave future generations.

 ”on this site once stood open grassland – a habitat to wildlife and mature trees, shrubs and wild flowers. A haven and place of tranquility and sport to be enjoyed by the many and available to all absolutely free”