Call for probe into sports land U-turn

1:39pm Wednesday 5th March 2008

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A top level investigation has been called for after it was discovered that land in Chorley, earmarked for sports facilities, could be used for housing.

National land regeneration agency English Partnerships have done a U-turn on the parcel of land - six hectares off Euxton Lane - despite an agreement to transfer it to Euxton Parish Council a year ago by Chorley Council.

Furious councillor Mark Perks described the move as "disastrous" and has demanded answers from the borough's chief executive.

A Chorley Council executive decision in March 2007 which meant the land - between Pear Tree Lane and Whinney Lane - would be taken off English Partnserships at no cost and then leased out to the parish council for recreational use for 25 years.

But English Partnerships have now signalled their intention to allocate the land for housing development.

This is explained in a letter to Liberta Property Services, which administers Chorley Council business.

English Partnerships state that they had failed to receive responses from the borough council despite "repeated offers" to discuss the land transfer to the parish council. It goes ont to say that "with the passage of time however, circumstances have changed".

The letter says it would now be "inappropriate to proceed with the long-mooted transfer to the parish council".

Coun Perks stormed: "This news is terrible and reflects poorly on the council and Liberta because one thing is quite clear in correspondence I have seen, despite English Partnership requesting meetings and the transfer to be agreed several times last year - the council in fact did not even respond."

He added: "Chorley Council is currently involved in the Local Development Framework and is seeking to find land sites for housing development. This land is now to be included."

He said: "Somebody has either got involved and put the block on it - or it is sheer negligence."

The council said no decision had been made as yet as to the what the land would be used for.

Jane Meek, Chorley Council's corporate director (business) said: "Chorley Council has been in discussions with English Partnerships for sometime about the land on Euxton Lane.

"Approval for the transfer of this land to the council was obtained last year. However, English Partnerships have subsequently changed their mind and have put forward the land for housing development as part of Chorley's Local Development Framework.

"We would like to see the land used and will continue to discuss a variety of options with English Partnerships."