'This is our land': The fight to keep the last green space in the estate

A plan to build 30 new homes in the middle of a recreational space has caused outcry in Middleton.

According to the developer - Big Help Langley Development CIC - the land off Borrowdale Road, Langley, has become a hotspot for antisocial behaviour, drinking and drug taking - but that has been refuted by locals.

What is known locally as the Ponderosa - an open space/recreation area - is the heart of the community and the people on the estate are furiously opposing the plans to build on it.

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Pensioner Eileen said: “They (the developer) have said about all this antisocial behaviour, this is absolutely not true. I’ve lived here next to the Ponderosa since my son was four, he is now 54.

“I have never, ever, seen anyone drinking, taking drugs or lighting fires. It just does not happen."

The community actually believes the plan to remould the greenspace as part of the development could bring in antisocial behaviour and drug taking. They believe added street lighting and benches could bring in unwanted behaviour and impact on the local wildlife.

Katie Armstrong, a passionate advocate for the Ponderosa, said: “It is not an antisocial area. It is just so loved and well used.

“This palace centres our community. It is imperative to keep the connections of the estate going that people will lose if they can’t have a place to socialise.

“All our families have known each other for 60 plus years. We all use this space as there is nowhere else like it in the area.

“It is a green lung. You can access fresh air and the children are safe to play here.

“We’re not worried about the kids playing on here. Where will they play if they build this, on