Council Planning Slip-up hits Maine Road

4.08.44pm UTC (GMT +0000) Tue 30th Aug 2005

Blundering Manchester Council bosses caused confusion in Rusholme, Fallowfield & Moss Side when they asked residents what they thought of a massive new development - without telling them where it was!

Council Planning bosses posted letters to 6,500 residents to consult the public on the massive Maine Road redevelopment, but unfortunately they forgot to mention "Maine Road" in the letter!

Red-faced officials will now have to reprint the letters and send them once again via Royal Mail, at extra cost to the taxpayer.

The proposals include plans for 474 apartments and houses, a new school, space for a Health Centre, shopping units & 700 car parking spaces.

Councillor Paul Shannon, who represents Rusholme and is Liberal Democrat Housing & Regeneration Spokesperson, said:

"Even by the Council's standards, this is pretty silly. It beggars belief that they could write to residents without mentioning where the development will be!

Councillor Shannon, who chaired August's Maine Road Steering Group meeting and lives within sight of the proposed development, continued:

" I received this letter through my door and was amazed to notice that Maine Road wasn't even mentioned. The Council must think money grows on trees - the cost to reprint & post 6,500 letters again will be around 1,800 pounds."