Council to Vote on Marie Louise Gardens Sell-off

7.30.54pm BST (GMT +0100) Tue 2nd Oct 2007

John Leech MP is Totally Opposed to Labour's Sell-Off Proposals for Marie Louise Gardens

Manchester Liberal Democrats have called for a vote on Labour's plans to sell-off for development part of the land at Marie Louise Gardens in West Didsbury.

At the full Council meeting on Wednesday 10th October, Manchester's 34 Lib Dem Councillors will vote to rule out the sale of any land at the Gardens and commit the Council to retaining all the land owned by the Council at the Gardens for recreational use.

West Didsbury Councillor Graham Shaw, who will be proposing the motion, said:

"These gardens were bequeathed to the people of Manchester, not to a profit-hungry Council who have no right to do this. It's not too late for Labour to halt these disastrous plans."

Withington MP John Leech has spoken in Parliament against the plans, and tabled a Parliamentary Early Day Motion calling on the Council to rethink its sell-off plans. He said:

"Not a single Labour MP supported my motion to oppose plans to sell off part of the Gardens. I hope that Labour Councillors will call a halt to plans that can only damage our park."

End...

Motion to Council on 10th October 2007 - Marie Louise Gardens

This Council notes that when Marie Louise Gardens was given to local people by Josephine Silkenstadt in memory of her daughter who died young, a covenant was agreed which stated that the land should not "be used for any other purpose than as a public park or recreation ground".

This Council further notes that a petition of more than 6000 names has been submitted by West Didsbury Residents' Association to the Lord Mayor calling on the Council to rule out selling any land at Marie Louise Gardens for development.

This Council therefore calls upon the Chief Executive to bring a report to the Executive ruling out the sale of any land at the Gardens and committing the Council to retaining all the land owned by the Council at the Gardens for recreational use.

Supported by:

Manchester's 34 opposition Liberal Democrat Councillors including:

Councillor Graham Shaw (proposer - Lib Dem Environment Spokesperson & Local West Didsbury Councillor )