IN a rare show of strength, every opposition councillor on Liverpool City Council has united a cross-party coalition to challenge proposals by the dominant Labour group to flog city parklands and open spaces.
Even the combined force of the dissenters – 10 councillors, representing the Greens, Lib Dems, Liberals and independent Jake Morrison – will not be enough to overcome the power of the ruling 79-strong administration.
But they are hoping that by demonstrating a show of strength, rare if not unique in living memory, they will send a Bonfire Night rocket to Labour to say the people of Liverpool want a halt called on controversial land deals.
These include plans that could see Walton Hall Park being handed to Everton FC for a stadium to replace Goodison and the already-agreed scheme that would mean Sefton Park’s meadowlands being sold for luxury housing.
The only non-Labour councillor not signing a move to be debated at next week’s full meeting of the city council is Lib Dem Erica Kemp. By convention she has to remain apolitical during her year of office as Lord Mayor.
'Sneak'
But her husband, Lib Dem Leader Cllr Richard Kemp, was more vocal: “From Jericho Lane in the south to Walton Hall Park in the north, via Sefton Park, Calderstones Park, Newsham Park and Wavertree, our green heritage is threated by a Labour Group.... Were we to have a referendum on these issues the people of Liverpool would vote heavily against these proposals. Labour are going to try and sneak them through”.
The historic resolution has been signed by Cllrs Richard Kemp (LD) Barbara Mace (LD), Steve Radford (Lib), Kevin Morrison (Lib), Hazel Williams (Lib), Jake Morrison (Ind), John Coyne (Green), Laurence Brown (Green), Tom Crone (Green), Sarah Jennings (Green).
That call to action from the 10 in full
Clubmoor Recreation Ground Earmarked For Development
The lengthy motion from the 10 non-Labour councillors on the order paper states: "Council notes with concern that within the response to the Consultation on the Local Plan that council officers have listed a large number of sites currently used for green open space purposes as being suitable for development for housing.
"It notes that the Council is currently negotiating the sale of land at Sefton Park Meadowlands and is proposing to sell of the whole of Walton Hall Park for development.
"It notes that the Riding for the Disabled Association has received a written assurance that the move to Clarke Gardens which will necessitate the provision of new stables, paddocks and exercise yard will be financed from the sale of the land which the RDA currently occupies in Calderstones Park.
"It notes that a requirement of the Local Plan is that a plentiful supply of land for housing purposes needs to be identified. It believes that land has already been identified in Liverpool in the Mayoral Development Zones, North and South Docks and other brown field land within the city formerly occupied by housing to meet the 15 year horizon required by the Local Plan process even though not all this is currently formerly listed for housing.
"It notes however that the population of the City has started to rise and that it is doing so because Liverpool is now seen to be a green and pleasant city with a vibrant city centre and an improving economic and educational outlook.
"Council believes that Liverpool will need all its current green space if it is to adequately cope with the planned growth in population and accordingly:
1. Requests the Mayor to rescind his recent decision to sell Sefton Park Meadowlands and similarly withdraw the outline proposals he has made for the redevelopment of Walton Hall Park
2. Requests council officers to work with local residents to redevelop the former MANWEB site in Wavertree primarily for Community Sports use.
3. Requests council officers to enter into negotiations with the Riding for the Disabled Association to allow for a long term lease for the current site in Calderstones Park to enable them to attract funds to enhance the facilities at that location.
4. Instructs officers to cease to consider the use of part of Woolton Woods for the development of St Julie’s School and to find alternative methods for the redevelopment of the school.
5. Resolves that all land zoned for green space uses within the current Urban Development Plan be designated as such within the prosed Local Development Framework unless officers can identify other land in the vicinity of such land which could be ‘swapped’ for current green space if a specific need has been identified.
In particular the pieces of land at or near:
· Maiden Lane Playing Fields
· Cherry Lane Recreation Ground, Walton
· Clubmoor Recreation Ground North, Walton
· Newsham Park
· Ye Priory, Allerton
· Detached playing Fields, Tramway Road
The 10 councillors want council officers from appropriate departments to liaise with appropriate resident and campaign groups to ensure that suitable uses and ownership and leases for the areas be developed to ensure their long-term use for green spaces."
