CAMPAIGNERS have called for Trafford council to be more transparent about its plans to develop Cow Field, an open space near Oldfield Brow.

The plot is currently used as a children’s play area and recreational space.

Frustrated members of Friends of Cow Field (FOCF), a protest group set up to save the site from development, say the council is yet to consult with them on the fate of the popular green space.

They want the field protected, but town hall bosses say the site must be overhauled for ‘financial reasons’.

Trafford council added that no decisions have been made over Cow Field and residents will be consulted.

In January, campaigner Sally Potts quizzed the head of regeneration, Coun James Wright, on plans for the site.

She asked then if the council would ‘commit’ to consulting with the public before any plans are finalised and whether funds would be available to mitigate the loss of open space.

Ms Potts also said members of the group had been maintaining the land with a hope that they could develop it into community allotments.

Coun Wright said: “A full public consultation will take place before any decision is made.

“However, the proposals are not at a stage where we can determine if mitigation for loss of green space would be required.”

This week, chairman of FOCF Christine Redgrave criticised town hall chiefs for failing to consult with the community.

“We’ve heard nothing from the council – it still hasn’t outlined what the consultation will entail, or when it will start – which is really frustrating,” she said.

“We fear plans are being worked on in the background but very little, if anything, is being made public.”

Fellow protester Mike O’Neill pointed out that council leader Andrew Western said he would be in touch as soon as there is an update.

“We don’t want any development on this plot,” he said.

“But, if the council decides otherwise we want to be fully consulted on the plans because quite frankly last time it was set to be built on, the community was given zero information.”

Blueprints for the site were originally tabled by Trafford Housing Trust (THT) four years ago and included 16 properties and a new hub for Trafford Rowing Club located along Stokoe Avenue.

In response residents set up the protest group and launched a petition, which received more than 150 signatures.

The planning application was later withdrawn.

However, council chiefs say previous plans could now be viable as the authority searches for a developer to overhaul the plot.

A spokesman for Trafford council said: “Residents are aware that no decisions have been made regarding Cow Field – and we will consult fully should we decided to take any plans forward.”