John Leech MP stands up for Marie Louise Gardens in the House of Commons as outcry grows.

4.24.14pm BST (GMT +0100) Wed 30th May 2007

John Leech MP has been working with local residents and Councillors to fight plans to sell off part of Marie Louise Gardens.

John Leech MP has spoken out in Parliament against the proposed sell-off of Marie Louise gardens by the Labour council to a property developer.

The plans have outraged local residents who have collected over 3,000 signatures to protest at the sell-off. John Leech has taken their fight to Westminster in a recent debate as well as tabling a Parliamentary motion calling for the Labour council to rethink their decision. The motion has now gained the support of 25 MPs.

"Labour-run Manchester city council, which neglected the gardens for many years, now wants to sell the section behind the lodge for development," John Leech told fellow MPs.

"Last month a protest picnic was held in the gardens. Even though it rained all afternoon, in excess of 400 people turned up," he continued. "The council tried to scupper the picnic by claiming that people did not have permission to gather in the gardens, but the event went ahead anyway."

During the debate, members of all parties commented on how shocking the councils plans were. A Labour government spokesperson even offered his advice on how to protect the land from his own party's plans.

Speaking after the debate, John Leech said: "Although the council have long ignored the need to ensure Manchester is not overdeveloped, this is by far and away the most heinous example. The gardens were bequeathed to the people of Manchester and not to a money-hungry council who have no right to do this."

<<ENDS>>

John Leech spoke at the Whitsun Adjournment Debate on Marie Louise Gardens and received messages of support from Rt. Hon. Paddy Tipping MP (Lab) as well Shailesh Vara (Con) amongst others. The original Hansard transcript can be found here (http://www.publications.parliament.uk/pa/cm200607/cmhansrd/cm070524/debtext/70524-0014.htm#07052479000453)

John Leech has tabled Early Day Motion 1263 - Proposed Sell-Off of Marie Louise Gardens, the text of which is set out below.

PROPOSED SELL OFF OF MARIE LOUISE GARDENS

16.04.2007

Leech, John

That this House notes with concern plans by Manchester City Council to sell off part of Marie Louise Gardens for development; recognises that the land was bequeathed by Mrs Silkenstadt to the people of Manchester in 1903 in memory of her only child Marie Louise, who died at a young age; considers building on public open space to be against the best interests of local residents; and calls upon the council to abandon plans to sell off part of the gardens.