Local anger at Heaton Park concert licence plans

Date published: 04 April 2011

Local residents who live around Heaton Park are raising concerns over Manchester Council's proposal to have a permanent events license for the park which could see 3 day rock-festivals for nearly a quarter of a million people.

The proposals, currently being consulted on by Manchester Council, would allow for an unlimited number of events in the park, including up to three events of up to three days a year with capacity for 80,000 people, and another three events of up to three days each a year with capacity for 50,000 people. All the licenses would be up to 11.00pm seven days a week with provision for alcohol.

Councillor Wilf Davison, who represents Holyrood Ward on Bury Council, spoke out against the proposals: "Heaton Park is an incredible public space and it is great that it’s used for events from time to time. I’m worried though that this will be a green light for 9 nights a year of massive concerts like Oasis back in 2009. That’s far too much for local residents.

"Prestwich residents live as neighbours of the park on three sides, and it’s us that have to live with the parking problems, traffic problems, noise, litter and anti-social behaviour. These plans will allow for festival-style events with hundreds of thousands of people coming into what is a residential area with no facilities for crowds this big.”

Prestwich's Lib Dem Councillors will all be objecting to the permanent license, and are urging Bury Council to raise these issues formally as a neighbouring authority. Residents can object before 28 April 2011.

In a linked issue campaigners to save the St Margaret's 'corner' of Heaton Park from being turned into a commercial soccer centre are asking for the area to be designated as a 'Village Green' (which would prevent it from being developed).

They're asking for anyone who has more than 20 years history of using this part of the park (for example, walking, horse riding, playing football, cricket, rounders, playing with the kids, picnics, walking the dog) to get in touch with Manchester Council.

More details at the Save Heaton Park website www.saveheatonpark.org.uk