Charles backs fight to stop soccer complex

Amy Glendinning

November 06, 2009

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A CAMPAIGN to prevent football pitches being built on a beauty spot has been given a boost by Prince Charles.

Members of Save Chorlton Meadows, who are fighting the development by West Didsbury and Chorlton AFC, contacted the prince about their plight.

Now the prince's office has replied, sending his best wishes.

While Clarence House said Charles is unable to get involved in local planning matters, it did suggest they contact the campaign group Environmental Law Trust - which has now taken up the case.

A top solicitor from the organisation will now look at how the group can fight plans to put pitches on the Meadows, some of which would be all-weather and floodlit.

Jonathan Green, of South Drive, Chorltonville, said: "We wrote to Prince Charles because we know he is a supporter of campaigns to preserve the countryside.

Surprised and delighted

"We were totally surprised and delighted when he replied and sent his best wishes and suggestions - it is a great boost for the campaign."

The campaign, which has more than 6,000 members on a Facebook group, is planning a protest picnic at the Meadows, off Hardy Lane, from 2pm on Sunday.

Campaigner Andy Statham said: "We want people to come and show their support - this area is not derelict land but a tranquil, green space used and loved by many."

Club WDCAFC submitted revised plans last month, after consultation with residents, which included changing the position of the all-weather, floodlit pitch away from land marked as being of special biological interest. The number of pitches was also reduced from eight to six.

But Mr Statham said: "We believe these changes will make noise and light pollution worse, not better. We will continue to fight these plans."

A spokesman for the club said: "We can't meet everyone's demands - the pitch can either encroach on land of special biological interest or be moved closer to houses."

The council is due to hear the planning application by January.

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bubbob, manchester (06/11/2009 at 10:16)

Yes, I often see Charley Boy down there taking in the scenery, he knows it so well.....

fergiza, rse (06/11/2009 at 10:28)

prince charles should keep his nose out of things that he doesnt understand, ie. the real world. both parties here have a valid case and democratic discussion is the only a way to resolve the issue. by sticking his oar in he has now all but ruined the clubs chances of any fair hearing. perhaps the club should enlist similar high profile (but totally irrelevant)people, maybe write to the pope and obama, why dont you give them some of your land charles, if you are so concerned.

united66 , manchester (06/11/2009 at 14:27)

The whole idea of these plans is to provide quality pitches for the development of football including youth football from the age of 8 upwards.The land is private land and is all ready dedicated football piches we have grown over. No planning is needed to convert these pitches back. The owner could if he wanted place a large fence around his land and stop peoples access. He obviously doesnt want to do this but wants to develop it without any detriment to the wildlife or access to the public.

geriatric (06/11/2009 at 16:46)

Presumably bat ears wouldn't have minded a polo pitch?

Vote for David, anywhere else but manchester please (06/11/2009 at 21:43)

Will they use floodlights, afterall it is in a flood plain.

Mr Mancunian, Sydney Australia (07/11/2009 at 07:57)

If ever reverse snobbery was evident then it is in these comments. Little wonder that class distinction is alive & well in the UK.

I am a republican by persuasion & a socialist by nature. However Charles does have an opinion & should be allowed to express it along with the 6000 local residents who are against this developement & who are directly affected by it. It is called 'freedom of speech'.

Every comment but one was personally offensive to someone who genuine in his concern for the environment. Debate the matter by all means but keep your 'smart mouthed' comments to yourselves.

I am sure that if any one of you, with the exception of united66, were to debate the matter with, as
'bubbob' commented, "Charley boy", they would be hard pressed putting forward a coherent argument.

bubbob, manchester (07/11/2009 at 21:11)

I have no objection to local residents objecting, but when jug ears from Windsor who has never even been near the place sticks his oar in, then it is hardly a credible opinion is it?

petan, openshaw (08/11/2009 at 19:06)

how much was it used before the plans were discussed.

Blue Dude, Manchester. (09/11/2009 at 18:20)

No need for football pitches, we need to stop exercise for kids, we need to keep them fat and unhealthy and for them to die young preferably in their 50's because health care gets expensive then. After all there is a pensions crisis so we need people to die younger and have less people claiming off the state (like the royal family). So yes it its a good idea ban the pitches.

BTW: Tongue firmly in cheek for the morons out there.

neil morley (04/12/2009 at 01:17)

"how much was it used before the plans were discussed." - It was used by walkers and people wo just like open spaces; how much do the other local pitches get used? Anyway it is the floodlit pitches that will be an eyesore.
"The whole idea of these plans is to provide quality pitches for the development of football including youth football from the age of 8 upwards." - If you look at the plans you can see that none of the pitches are for 8 year olds, and only 2 are small enough for teens. There are no 5-a-side. It will cost about £100 per hour to rent a floodlit pitch, so not really for "the people".

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