Marie Louise threat overturned

4.30.00pm GMT Fri 30th Nov 2007

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.'

Manchester Withington MP, John Leech, and his Liberal Democrat colleagues are today rejoicing at the news that Labour's plans to sell-off for development part of the land at Marie Louise Gardens in West Didsbury have been overturned.

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

'This U-turn has been forced on Labour by the strength of feeling of people in Didsbury. Not a single Labour MP supported my motion to oppose plans to sell off part of the Gardens.

'I pay tribute to the 6,000 people who signed a petition opposing the sell-off, to the West Didsbury Residents Association, and to the three Didsbury West Lib Dem Councillors who have all worked so hard to save Marie Louise Gardens.'

John Leech MP concluded:

'I'm calling for more investment in Marie Louise Gardens, to bring it back to its former splendour. This park is a wonderful oasis for residents in Didsbury and South Manchester.'

West Didsbury Councillor Graham Shaw, who spoke out against the proposed sell-off at full Council, said:

'This is fantastic news for the people of Didsbury. These gardens were bequeathed to the people of Manchester, not to a profit-hungry Council who had no right to sell this land. Labour tried to gag me when I spoke against their proposed land sale at the last Council meeting. But the will of local residents in Didsbury has prevailed in the end!'