One of the largest pieces of open land within the town is up for sale. The land is located beside Hall Hill and between Henshall Road, Moss Lane, Lowerhouse and behind the properties in Albert Road. It is presently owned by Messrs H Cumberbirch & Son Ltd. The Civic Society understands that it has been opened to offers from the development industry and that there is plenty of interest. There is only one reason why a developer would want to acquire it.

The land has been derelict for some decades and has been unofficially used as a recreational resource for which it is ideally suited. It extends across the hillside with fine views to the north. It is about 9 acres (c.4 hectares) in size.

At one time planning permission was given to build on the land but this has long since expired. We understand that it is presently scheduled as green belt land but we are checking out its exact status.

On Watch!

The Civic Society will keep a close watch on this piece of land. The local community should be prepared to organise their opposition to any proposal that doesn't meet with their approval. The Civic Society can advise on what needs to be done. We also hope that the Town Plan group will consider the possibilities.

Now would be a good time to let the Civic Society know of your interest in this case so that we can inform each other when relevant information comes to light. Please email Tim Boddington now.

Tim Boddington is the Happy Valley webmaster and Vice Chairman of Bollington Civic Society with a special responsibility for planning matters.

Part of the ground alongside Henshall Road, behind the trees in the picture (right), was once the domestic waste tip for Bollington Urban District Council - around the 1950s we believe. Those were the days when any old hole in the ground would do!

This view is directly opposite Ovenhouse Lane.

According to the very old sign, now being consumed by the tree, the land once belonged to the Bollington Printing Company. I seem to recall that they inhabited Oak Bank Mill, where Hamson Drive is today. That suggests there may be industrial waste in the tip. Since I first put up this page I have been advised by one time employees of the print mill that they did indeed dump large quantities of their chemical waste here, including printing inks.