Just as Salford Council's Planning Lead Member, Councillor Derek Antrobus, was about to give thanks and take the plaudits for the trashing of Peel Holdings plans to build six hundred houses on the Worsley Greenway, residents in the public gallery jumped to their feet and hurled accusations at him concerning issues around the Bellway Homes development of over 240 houses on the site of the old sewage works off Campbell Road in Swinton...
This was the section at the end of the full Council meeting where Lead Members are asked questions by other councillors. Normally, it's a very staged managed affair but today, when the Ceremonial Mayor, Ronnie Wilson, asked for questions to Councillor Antrobus residents from the Saving Our Neighbourhood group decided to take matters into their own hands...
"Councillor Antrobus I've got a question" shouted one resident "...I'm from Thorn Road and our community is under siege..."
The Ceremonial Mayor interrupted... "There is a method for asking questions..."
"But we can't get any answers" came the response...
"Sit down or can you leave..." the Mayor insisted, to no avail...
The residents persisted..."I want to know why Bellway have been allowed to work illegally on contaminated land for at least eight weeks, putting the community at risk...Why are we residents having to do the Council's job; why are we being left to negotiate? We know the system and it doesn't work that's why we're here..."
The Saving Our Neighbourhood group has been holding regular demonstrations outside the Civic Centre, in their own streets and at public meetings.* Not only do they believe that planning should never have been granted for this Bellway scheme but also that, once planning had been granted, Salford Council washed its hands of ongoing issues, while the activities of developers are not being properly policed.
As Councillor Karen Garrido got up to talk about Peel Holdings losing its appeal to build houses in Broadoak, the catcalls continued... "Isn't it as shame that the residents have to take up action because of decisions taken by the planning committee which were flawed from the start..."
The Mayor tried to calm things down... "If the people in the public gallery, the protesters, just listen...we can meet you all in the main reception downstairs with the officers to discuss the matters...they're willing to meet you..."
"We are here because we've exhausted all possible routes" came the response...
"You haven't" said the Mayor...
"Houses are vibrating, people are suffering ill health, mental health; our community has been destroyed by the decision of Councillors Antrobus and Mashiter" shouted one resident...
Unperturbed, Antrobus began his speech about Peel Holdings, turning his back on the public gallery, and ignoring the comments being hurled at him about Bellway Homes... "...I very much welcome the decision of the Secretary of State to support the City Council's policy..."
"Why are you avoiding the issue Councillor Antrobus, you forced it through against the wishes of the community" a resident shouted "...Don't treat us with contempt, we are the local community What we want is a second access road people are under threat...mental pressure..."
Councillor Antrobus ended his eulogy of Council policies... "And we're absolutely delighted..." (etc) to cries of 'shame'...
"...It is a shame that you haven't got the same concern for the people in the Campbell Road area..." shouted residents waving placards with the Council's motto - 'The Welfare of the People is The Highest Law'...
The Ceremonial Mayor closed the meeting a few minutes early to hoots of scornful laughter from the public gallery... "You've wound the clock down again Councillor Antrobus...Your clock's fast..."
The Saving Our Neighbourhood group vowed to be back...
Some of the protest was captured on the Council's webcast (from 2hours 36 minutes) click here to view it
* For a full background on the Swinton Saving Our Neighbourhood protests - click here and click here
Deputy Mayor, John Merry and Salford City Mayor, Paul Dennett were also grilled by one of their own Labour Party councillors on cladding, the Trident report and affordable housing at the meeting full details to follow...
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