Outraged park lovers promise sparks will fly at Cradley Forum (From Halesowen News)

Outraged park lovers promise sparks will fly at Cradley Forum

8:00am Friday 22nd March 2013 in News

SPARKS are set to fly at next week’s Cradley Forum as the leader of Dudley Council faces outraged residents furious over a road being built through Homer Hill Park.

Councillor David Sparks will be discussing controversial £18m retirement village at Providence Methodist Church, Windmill Hill, on Wednesday March 27, at 7pm.

The Friends of Homer Hill Park are raging over Dudley Council, which are trustees of the park, agreeing to an access road being built.

The Friends have reported Dudley Council to the Charity Commission concerning its conduct over the access road and the deal with Midland Heart, who are building the retirement village.

Founder of the friends group Harry Bloomer said: “What the council are doing is outrageous especially as the covenant of the park dating back to 1922 has been totally ignored.

“The safety of the children who use the park is going to be compromised with lorries driving through the park on this new access road.

“And there is going to be a huge problem with people with disabilities using the park as well which will be devastating for these people.”

He added: “We are going to fight this to the bitter end.”

Cradley councillor Richard Body is also furious the plan to build the access road was not publicised by the council and Midland Heart.

He said: “Dudley Council cannot take or give what legally doesn't belong to them and the land was left in trust for the people of Cradley for recreation purposes only.”

Feelings are running high about the future of the park and a sign has been erected on the gates, it says: This park belongs to the people of Cradley, Midland Heart keep out.

Plans for a play scheme at Providence Methodist Church in partnership with the Black Country Foodbank, which would see children get a meal at lunchtime, will also be discussed.

The meeting, which will be chaired by cllr Tim Crumpton with cllrs Richard Body and Gaye Partridge also in attendance, will hear from a group of residents who have formed to try to regenerate the area.