A CAMPAIGN is underway to warn developers to keep their hands off the 80 acre Urmston Meadows.

The campaign, which has all party support on Trafford Council, is to bring forward a motion at full council on July 26 underlining the authority's resolve not to build there.

Last year, Trafford's Labour group was concerned that if the borough goal of 23,000 new homes was to be achieved by 2035 the meadows could be under serious threat.

The campaign was launched by Councillor Steve Adshead after ward residents who attended meetings organised by development firm Landcare (Manchester), asking them their views on what they would like to see on the meadows.

A petition, which has already been signed by more than 500 residents, is now calling on Landcare (Manchester), to withdraw any plans to develop industrial units/warehousing on the meadows greenbelt area which links Stretford and Urmston.

Cllr Adshead said: "We brought forward our campaign to protect the meadows after a developer got in touch with residents.

"As there are actually no firm proposals and plans, it was difficult to explain to people and indeed to focus a campaign around, so instead we are lobbying and campaigning against this so they know the depth of feelings of the local community, the elected councillors and MP and the Trafford Council.

"We also intend to underline the council's existing position of not supporting development on this site, but instead working to enhance it as a green space and hopefully this campaign will help spur a greater interest in it from local people so we can all work together to help improve it."

The motion to be put to council is as follows:"This council is aware of proposals by a landowner to develop industrial units and warehousing on the area known as Stretford Meadows (the land that lies north of the M60 and south of Stretford and the B5213). In light of this proposal, Trafford Council reaffirms its commitment to Stretford Meadows as a green space which serves and is accessible to all of Trafford’s communities. The council will continue to implement strategies to enhance this area, Stretford and the wider Mersey Valley."

The petition is at https://you.38degrees.org.uk/petitions/help-preserve-our-local-meadows-1

A spokesman for Landcare Manchester said: "We approached a small number of residents and councillors to invite comments and suggestions for the type and scale of development that may be appropriate on the meadows.

"The proposal was to deliver a development of distribution warehousing on approximately half of the site accessed direct from the M60 motorway creating over 5,000 new jobs for people living in the Streford and Urmston area.

"This development would fund a major enhancement of the remaining amenity areas, improving the footpath links and connectivity between Urmston and Stretford, which could also incorporate new sporting facilities, woodland walks, footpath links, ponds and play areas. The proposal would include a management plan with details of the funding mechanism available to ensure the facilities are maintained in perpetuity.

"The company has met with two other small local groups of residents whose opinions and ideas will help shape our proposals which are currently being re-evaluated."

As the Messenger went to press we were awaiting a response from Trafford Council

Picture - left to right - Cllr Kevin Procter, Kate Green MP, John Wragg and Rita Jones local residents, Cllr Tom Ross, John Cosgrove local resident, Cllr Steve Adshead, Cllr Dolores O’Sullivan and Ken Pye local resident.