Plans to bulldoze the community centre where cult comedian Frank Sidebottom recorded his music could come off the rails because of a restrictive covenant. An application to demolish the Riddings Community Centre in Timperley followed by the construction of five homes on the site has resulted in a 600-name petition amid a tide of local fury against the plan.
Liberal Democrat councillors have ‘called in’ the proposals, which means the colleagues on Trafford council’s planning and development management committee must vote on the issue. Meanwhile, Timperley Community Action group has written to the council’s chief executive Sara Todd highlighting a ‘legally restrictive covenant’ which could scupper the plan for the site at 121 Park Road.
It said: “Trafford council have removed all community centre usage/activity whilst also withdrawing the previously established maintenance agreement. Unless the building's vulnerability and decay are part of the council's plan, this treasured none designated heritage asset (NDHA) needs to be accessible again to its community.
