PRESS RELEASE THURSDAY 19TH DECEMBER 2019 COUNCILLOR JAMIE CURLEY, CHAIRMAN, SADDLEWORTH PARISH COUNCIL

DAWSON’S FIELD, SCOUTHEAD – TRANSFER OF LEASE FROM OLDHAM COUNCIL

Saddleworth Parish Council has agreed a 30-year lease for Dawson’s Field, Scouthead, to ensure that it can continue to be used for the Scouthead and Austerlands Whit Friday Brass Band Contest and the Family Fun Day. The field is also used as a playing field by local children and dog walkers.

The field, which is in the Green Belt, has been seen as a prime target for property developers, who see it as an ideal location for housing. Following several years of negotiations, Saddleworth Parish Council agreed the lease with Oldham Borough Council.

“I am delighted that Oldham Council have now signed the lease over to the Parish Council,” said Parish Chairman Jamie Curley. “It is the only green space available in this area of the parish and is therefore very important to the local community. The Parish Council is committed to protecting the Green Belt and this lease will ensure its safety for a minimum of 30 years. The Parish Council hopes to eventually have the field permanently transferred to their ownership and will continue to work with Oldham Council to achieve this aim.

“I would like to thank my fellow councillors and officers at Oldham Council for enabling this lease to be made. I would also particularly like to thank former councillor Rob Knotts for his hard work over the past four years negotiating with Oldham Council and drawing up the business case for the field, without which the lease would not have been possible.”

Councillor Jamie Curley Chairman, Saddleworth Parish Council