Star date: 13th November 2015

CAMPAIGNERS TO CONTINUE THE FIGHT FOR POMONA

Trafford Council last night gave the go-ahead for Peel Holdings and Rowlinson Developments to build two ugly blocks of 164 unaffordable flats on the former Pomona Docks, yards over the border from Salford.

Campaigners want the land to be turned into an Eden North project, to protect the rare flora and wildlife, and will continue to fight to save the rest of the site – "We still have an opportunity to do something world class for people and wildlife on the main Pomona Docks" says James Walsh of the Manchester Ship Canal World Heritage Group.

Full details here...

"The Save Pomona campaign continues..."

Trafford Council last night gave planning permission for 164 unaffordable flats in two huge ugly blocks to be built on the former dock site of Pomona, across the Manchester Ship Canal, yards from the Salford border and next to Manchester city centre.

Supporters of the campaign to save Pomona wanted the land transformed into an Eden North project, to form a unique urban park and protect more than one hundred bird species and over 150 flora species recorded by community ecologists on the site. But Trafford councillors voted in favour of giving planning permission to Peel Holdings and Rowlinson Developments.

"The planning permission was granted for two dodgy looking blocks of flats on an area located on the north side of the site, without Trafford Council requesting a master plan for the whole area" said James Walsh of the Manchester Ship Canal World Heritage Group "Therefore, we still have an opportunity to do something world class for people and wildlife on the main Pomona Docks.

"The hearings once again highlighted the need for politicians to learn basic ecology so they can actually understand what they are voting on!" he explained "The Manchester Ship Canal World Heritage Group is still of the belief that the area is a Site of Biological Importance, and that the scientific/ecological value of sites such as this one should be given greater levels of conservation, enhancement and promotion. As Manchester is now the European City of Science and we should be looking to retain and increase biodiversity wherever possible in the Manchester area."

James thanked all the supporters of the Save Pomona campaign, including Natalie Bennett, Dave Haslam, Liz McIvor, Jon Thomson and Linford Christie... "The Save Pomona campaign continues..."

To read James Walsh's speech to Trafford councillors last night – click here

For a full background to the campaign and Peel Holdings' plans see previous Salford Star article – click here

Main photo by Anya Samantha