Haslam Park Hundreds gather to save school from being built on public park
Hundreds gathered at a popular park in Bolton over the weekend to join a rally to oppose plans to build a school on the much-loved community space.
Residents gathered by the children's play area in Haslam Park, in Deane, on Sunday afternoon to listen to speeches by several councillors, including Cllr Roger Hayes and Cllr Martin McMulkin.
Despite the rainy conditions, more than 200 residents participated in the rally by holding up banners and cheering on speakers.
Protest against building of school. Picture by Henry Lisowski
Green Party candidate for the Rumworth ward, Alan Johnson, said: "Given the conditions, we were very pleased with the turnout.
"The residents showed commitment on Sunday.
"They didn't just stand and listen; they got involved.
"It's clear that the local community values the park and is desperate to have it.
"It would be wrong for the council to take it away from residents.
"People questioned the reason why the council identified Haslam Park, a nature reserve, as a possible site for a new school.
"We are not against the idea of building a new school in the area, but the school should not be built on the park.
"Haslam Park is the only green space that some residents have access to.
"In their speeches, councillors said that green spaces have been so valuable to people during the pandemic.
"Parks are good for people's physical and mental well-being and they can also help to offset anxiety.
"Councillors also raised concerns about the environmental impact of building a new school on a nature reserve.
"Most people who showed up had not been involved in any form of rally in their life.
"Bolton ward councillors know that we are not prepared to give up the park without a fight."
"Hopefully we can change councillors' minds about the plans."
Haslam Park was recently earmarked as a potential site to build the second Kings Leadership School in Bolton in a bid to tackle the shortage of high school places.
However, residents were quick to oppose the plans and have since set up two online petitions, as well as a rally.
More than 2,000 people have now signed the petitions against plans to transform Haslam Park into a multi-million pound secondary school.
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