Trafford’s Longford Park overhaul moves forward

My favourite park in Manchester. This is honestly a dream project. I hope they do this right.

A BMX track would not be in keeping with this beautiful park. You are making it into a clinical looking mess instead of a natural place of beauty. You were responsible for the demolition of the hall, now you want to ruin the whole park and build grey boxes on a nature reserve. You really never learn do you.

It’s a shame we were given 3 minutes to put forward our objections to certain points at the meeting, whereas the council spoke for roughly 15 minutes underlining their intentions for the rejuvenations. Never at any point did they consider that Longford Park is a Conservation Area, Protected Open Space and a Wildlife Corridor. No consideration has been given to safety concerns re the BMX tract, open brook, encouragement of traffics into the Park and surrounding areas, which in turn will affect the whole of the bordering roads, as mentioned. Policing and upkeep of the Park has been dismissed as with any consideration to neighbours who live within and on the surrounding boundaries. The council admitted freely that this plan has been rushed and pushed through, the reasoning behind this, 3.5 Million input financially.

We are certainly not against all the plans put forward and realise the Park is tired, but we need to remember once Open Space has been taken away , it cannot be replaced. Conservation legislation clearly states ‘LIKE FOR LIKE.
I just pray the council look at the plans again and use common sense re the revamp and health and safety regarding access, also positioning of the BMX track, again which they are aware of lots of concern raised by residents.

Why on earth are they considering a BMX track in the park this will surely only become a meeting place for local youths to congregate and become a nuisance to the local residents who live on neighbouring roads.

Sounds like a great idea. The more facilities for young people the better. Parks aren’t just for pensioners

Where will the animals live while Pets Corner is being redeveloped??? You can’t just uproot them and put them in an unfamiliar space, and leaving them on site is not an option if there’s going to be dust, plant machinery and workmen all over the place. It’s the most ridiculous thing I’ve ever heard.

I’d bet a tenner that the people objecting to the BMX track on the basis that it will attract “youths” are the same people who constantly wonder why kids don’t play outside like they did in “their day”. It’s because the older generation have effectively illegalised young people being outside.

The BMX will be a complete waste of money – the one at Platt Fields is empty 99% of the time. Repair/rejuvenating the rest of the park sounds great though.

Lot of hate for the BMX track, its actually a small tarmac pump track that is being proposed here, not a full scale Olympic style venue. its similar to a small skate park, heaven forbid there is anything in the park for older kids to do other than hang around and cause a nuisance

No mention here of the play areas for the children . They are dangerous, outdated and unfit for purpose.

Great ideas for favourite park but totally opposed to the development on Ryebank Fields. This will negatively affect Longford park- wildlife being displaced, construction noise, a valuable green space being built on, though many local people oppose it

With so much of our green space being eroded, to propose this parkland is further destroyed by the introduction of more hard surfaces is ridiculous. The fields already flood readily. More hard surfacing will increase the risk of flooding to the park and adjacent properties. The park is already well used by dog walkers, runners, picnickers, just people enjoying the green space. The roads around the park are congested, with limited parking for residents. To encourage more people from outside the area will make this unmanageable. Access is limited, with narrow access lanes and residential roads. The key commuter routes surrounding the park are overly congested. This scheme is too much for this area. We should be preserving and extending this conservation area, not ripping it up. SO much wildlife relies on it. Hough End has already been seriously compromised by the construction of the all weather pitches – don’t make the same mistake here.

Having read through the planning application, it is clear that the mental and physical well-being of the residents of the area are not regarded as important. There is little consideration for the wildlife and existing biodiversity of the park. The value as a green lung and nature reserve is neglected. The main aim appears to be to make money out of the land. This might align with the needs of Amey PLC, but is inappropriate for Trafford Council who should be safeguarding the interests of its residents in the long term. Maintaining this park as a peaceful place for people to relax without having to pay to use it is intrinsic in the remit of TMBC. Don’t make the same mistake as was made with the grade 2 listed hall, that was allowed to fall into such disrepair that it became unsafe. Just because it was cheaper to pay the fine does not make it acceptable. Tearing up green space to pay bills is not the answer to global warming and climate change.

I think Ryebank fields should be left to the wildlife.