A campaign has been launched by residents in Borrowash to retain and protect a long-term area of green space in the village which has been put up for sale by the new Erewash Borough Council administration.
A page has been set up on Facebook titled 'Save Harrington Avenue Green Space' for which administrators opened by saying that "Green spaces are not only important for wildlife and insects but also for everyone's mental health" adding the page had been created as "a community group to save development on our green space."
The area of land adjoins Harrington Avenue, Ashbrook Avenue and Briar Close and next to the Ashbrook Community Centre and has been in continual public use for around 70 years.
In July, Erewash Borough Council gave notice that it would be listing the field for sale and development. The Chair of Ockbrook & Borrowash Parish Council said that a letter dated 27/06/2023 informed that the decision was made by the borough council executive as far back as 17th January 2023. A statement from the Parish Council Chair said that there was no formal notification by any of the former three borough councillors and called for anyone wanting to file an opinion or objection to take relevant action.
The area of land has been advertised as "public open space which offers residential development potential", adding that "The site is predominantly a level grassed area extending to 1.7 acres (0.69 hectares). There is a footpath bisecting the site."
Local concerns include those over the loss of public open space used by dog lovers and children playing, that any development would set a precedent for selling off adjoining gren space, that there were already insufficient local surgery places and massive demand, and only limited school places, as well as fears over more traffic, with one complainant adding that speeding was an issue on nearby Briar Close. There was also a fear for the future of the neighbouring Ashbrook Centre. One person countered the campaign by stating there isn't enough housing anywhere and that the country had fallen way past growth in building new houses.
Recently elected Ockbrook & Borrowash Neighbourhood Network Parish Councillor Greg Maskalick has thrown his full support behind the campaign and has contacted the leader of Erewash Borough, Councillor James Dawson. The OBNN is understood to be of the collective view that the area should not be developed and is happy to meet with local residents and answer questions. Erewash Borough Council is understood to have put the land up for sale due to the need to raise capital and reduce the financial liability. It has also been stated that, as it was not an application for planning permission, normal routes for objections did not apply and planning permission is understood to not be part of any transaction..
A social media statement posted by the OBNN said that ouncillors Greg Maskalick and Tania Stevenson met with campaigners from the Save Harrington Green Space group on 22nd August to discuss ongoing issues and the imminent land sale by Erewash Borough Council. It continued: "Whilst the decision to sell was made in January, none of our former councillors chose to raise this huge concern with the community so we're yet again left with the fallout. Erewash Councillor and O&B Parish Council Chair, Greg Maskalick was notified about the same on 29th June 2023. He reported it to the Parish Council and community on 5th July.
Public record shows Councillor Maskalick notified the public on what needed to be done if there was any concern on the matter. HIs statement is part of the minuted record and is on the OPBC website to view under Chair Report."
It continued: "We will support the campaign group in raising their fears and concerns to Erewash Borough Council and Councillor Maskalick (in his role as EBC Councillor) is leading on this effort and will fight their corner with 100% effort. If the Harrington Green space is developed, Councillor Maskalick and OBNN will ensure it is carried out with consideration for residents nearby.
"OBNN and EBC Councillor Maskalick are committed to having every person's voice heard on any issue. OBNN and EBC Councillor Maskalick are committed to a fair process, not one that was hidden from the public view by the previous EBC Councillor. OBNN and EBC Councillor Maskalick are committed to seeing families thrive with excellent community amenities and housing for all that are well-balanced. We feel this is the best way forward in these difficult times we're living in. We will work with anyone and everyone who has the best interests of our community at heart"
Meanwhile, in further developments, Cllr Maskalick has taken to social media to clarify the position which gave what was suggested as false hope to some residents. He said: "There is someone going around talking nonsense about making a Neighbourhood Plan in a PDQ fashion that will save the green space. This person really doesn't understand that a Neighbourhood Plan takes years to produce and get approved. You then need to hold a referendum on it as well." He urged those against the proposals to continue with the plan to reverse course and not get distracted by others, adding that, if it [Neighbourhood Plan] was possible, he would have done it by now. Inforrmation with his post shared from local.gov.uk suggested that the process towards such a plan, which would be led by a parish councll, was anticipated to take around three to five years and needed to be passed by an examiner and was up to an individual area to decide on the pace at which plans would be progressed.
A sale board on the edge of the site has seen notices of objection posted across it, including some from children, and leaflets have been distributed to local houses. The sale price is understood to be a six figure sum. Campaigners have also carried out a sweep around the village to count how many houses had been built over the last 40 to 50 years to include findings with their efforts as a justification to stop the proposed sale and any development on the green space.
Erewash Borough Council has not, to date, issued a formal statement about the proposal to sell the land and has not been approached for comment.