Last night, well over one hundred people gathered at Buile Hill High School to hear the latest developments in the Save Swinton Park campaign.
In April, another packed meeting of residents and golf club members learned the background to a potential sale of Swinton Park Golf and Country Club to Bellway Homes which wants to build a reported one thousand houses on the site.*
Investors in a new company, Swinton Park Golf and Country Club 2017 Ltd, had put in £1.2million for a site which could be worth £30million if residential planning permission is granted.
Dave Marsh, chair of the Save Swinton Park campaign, told last night's meeting that, after consulting with solicitors and a barrister, a letter claiming 'fraudulent misrepresentation' had been sent to the new company, although no specific details were given, except that the sale could have been undervalued.
"If it is found that there is evidence that the acquisition was fraudulent that is a criminal matter" said Dave Marsh, adding that it was "complicated".
The campaign, he added, is also trying to resurrect two companies, Swinton Park Golf Club Ltd (incorporated in 1948) and Swinton Park Golf Club 1996 Ltd, which were both dissolved in January. The latter company has as its principle object to 'maintain and develop the land for the purposes of golf, recreation and pastimes'.
On 23rd July, Bellway Homes could buy the land and fight for planning permission, and Dave Marsh, while thanking Salford City Mayor, Paul Dennett, and various councillors for support so far, implored them to make a statement "guaranteeing that no houses will be built on Swinton Park" before that date..."If they did that before 23rd July, Bellway Homes would have a problem" he said.
So far, the Mayor has written an open letter to the Club stating that "development will not be permitted unless...it has been clearly demonstrated that the site is surplus to recreational requirements, and the development would facilitate the wider regeneration of the local area... such evidence has not been presented to the City Council thus far..."
Dave Marsh concluded that "it's not just a question of saving Swinton Park, it's about protecting the vulnerable...our children and grandchildren from building one thousand houses on the East Lancs Road; nobody could ever defend building one thousand houses there..."
Meanwhile, a new Swinton Park Residents Group was established at the meeting, with former councillor Paul Wilson stating that its first act will be to get the Club listed as an Asset of Community Value, affording the site some protection from developers.
From the audience, Barry Woodling argued that, despite all the legal wrangles, there should be a political Plan B, with direct action and demonstrations as part of the campaign. In response, Dave Marsh said that such actions would be 'premature' because "the Mayor, councillors and the MP are supporting our cause..."
The meeting ended with a plea for people to help with funds to fight the campaign...
For more details of how to donate and to keep informed on the campaign's progress see the Save Swinton Park Golf Club Facebook group – click here
* For more background see previous Salford Star articles...
Hundreds Attend Save Swinton Park Golf Club Public Meeting – click here
Salford Council Receives Pre-application Housing Planning Request – click here
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