Greenspace

I can understand people opposing development near to them and as part of the Council's consultation exercise on the allocation of 1.2% of Salford's greenbelt for employment uses those people will be able to put their arguments forward.
What I fail to understand is the irrational fantasy being conjured up which transforms Salford Council's promise not to reduce the overall greenbelt into a threat to "suffocate" our citizens.
It is even more irrational when the self-same people tell us to build at Little Hulton instead - in other words, do not take a little bit from the area richest in greenbelt to give to one of the most deprived areas in Salford!
Far from allowing "suffocating" development, Salford is a champion of greenspace.
- When we consulted on the options for our core strategy, powerful voices put forward an option which would cut the greenbelt by 75 hectares. Labour councillors have resisted that and are proposing an option which involves no overall loss of greenbelt
- Our planning proposals increase the protection for Chat Moss and encourages the enhancement of biodiversity through the restoration of rare bogland habitat
- Irwell River Park is the probably the biggest 'greenspace' initiative in the region with plans to restore a green lung to the heart of the conurbation
- Salford has embarked on its biggest creation of new parks since Victorian times. New greenspaces lie at the heart of the massive regeneration schemes at Mediacity and Greengate
- Blackleach and Clifton country parks are a proud achievement of a Labour run council which pioneered the use of the river valley as a major green recreational resource for its citizens
- old railway lines have been reclaimed as green walkways and cycleways to link different part of the city and we continue to invest in making them accessible
- Salford is a partner in and funder of the Bridgewater Way project which intends to make the canalside more open and accessible to different groups
- Residents in Salford have benfited from the greenstreets initiative which has seen tree planting on streets throughout the city. We have carried out a tree audit with Red Rose Forest - only the second council in the region to do so - to help us decide where future planting can make most impact
And I could go on and on...
I joined the Labour Party because I saw that there was a decent environment for the few - and the many were excluded from its benefits. That is why I have been a keen advocate of country parks, green walkways and cycleways, tree planting and so on. We ARE increasing and opening up our greenspaces for the many rather than protecting the privileges of a few.

Councillor Derek Antrobus
Lead Member for Planning
Salford City Council