
Tameside Council has sparked public outcry after revealing plans to sell the historic Park Bridge Heritage Centre in Ashton-under-Lyne.
The council intends to put the heritage centre on the open market. Should the building attract significant interest, it will then proceed to a public auction - a move that has prompted fierce criticism from residents and local campaigners.
The Park Bridge Residents Action Group, has condemned the decision, describing it as a “disgraceful act of betrayal to future generations that could benefit from the potential this community asset still has to offer.”
Built on the remains of the Park Bridge Ironworks - once a vital part of Tameside’s industrial heritage - the centre has served as a place of education, nature exploration, and cultural memory for decades. Despite a decline in its use in recent years, locals argue it still holds huge untapped value for the wider community, particularly for environmental education and tourism.
In response to the proposed sale, the action group has launched a petition on change.org to prevent the building from falling into private hands. Campaigners are urging the council to reconsider, calling instead for investment to revitalise the site and reopen it for public benefit.
A Spokesperson for the Park Bridge Residents’ Action Group and Fund commented: “It is incredibly disappointing to learn that Tameside Council plans to sell off the Park Bridge Heritage Centre and Stables, a site of significant historical value and a former priceless community asset, without any consultation with local residents and groups such as ours.
“Unfortunately, the building, which houses a local museum, classroom, café, and offices, has been closed for many years due to local funding cuts. However, learning that the council now plans to completely wash their hands of this magnificent building is a disgraceful act of betrayal to future generations that could benefit from the potential this community asset still has to offer.
“The Heritage Centre has the potential to once again become a vital community hub, as it was a decade ago, when the Tameside Countryside Service was a properly funded department. It educated school children about the historical footprint of the local area and the unique biodiverse environment that surrounds it, hosted local volunteering groups and activities, and provided a safe space for families.
“Beyond its historical and community value, large areas of Park Bridge are designated as Sites of Biological Importance on the Greater Manchester register. The site supports rare habitats and wildlife, including ancient woodland, species-rich grassland, and watercourses vital to the local ecosystem. The 2007-2012 management plan, developed by Tameside Council itself, recognises the ecological richness of the site and outlines conservation strategies that would be jeopardised by commercialisation.
“Instead of working to restore the site into a proper community facility once again, it seems the council is content to sell off our history for cash. There is much more value in having an asset that serves the community and provides much-needed local jobs over another HMO or residential development.
“We demand the immediate block of the sale of the Heritage Centre and urge Tameside Council to provide funding and collaborate with local residents and groups to develop a proper plan to restore the site for community usage once again.”
Tameside Council has not yet provided details about the timeline for the sale, nor has it publicly responded to the petition. However, opposition is growing quickly, with the online campaign gathering momentum and more residents joining the call for a halt to the process.
In a letter to the Park Bridge Residents’ Action Group and Fund, Angela Rayner MP writes: “I have raised my concerns regarding the fact that neither your group nor indeed myself as the local MP for this area had been consulted on prior to the decision being made at Executive Cabinet on 30 July 2025, particularly as the site is of such historical importance and its rural location.
“I have made representations to the Executive Leader of the Council, Councillor Eleanor Wills, Harry Catherall, Chief Executive of Tameside Council, Julian Jackson, Director of Place and Councillor Hugh Roderick, Executive Member (Finance and Resources), outlining my concerns regarding the sale of the Heritage Centre and stables, owing to the historical importance of the site and its rural location.
“I have also asked whether they had considered any other options for the future use of the site, in particular, the youth offer, which as you state, could give the opportunity for local youth groups, such as scouts and brownies, schools and other organisations to meet and learn about the history of the Park Bridge Iron Works and retain its historical value.”
A Tameside Council spokesperson said: “We value the location’s heritage and want to work with all stakeholders in bringing the site back into use. We are proposing to market the Park Bridge Centre to understand market interest and see if we can identify an appropriate purchaser and use for the property that’s complementary to the location.
“The Centre has been closed as a visitor centre since around 2010, with use on an ad hoc basis for dedicated school workshops until early 2020. Over the past five years the property has remained vacant and, like most local authorities with the current financial pressures, we cannot continue to hold a vacant property that has no operational use or budget to occupy. Our property disposal programme is in place to identify opportunities for development and income for the borough while also reducing the ongoing costs and drain on public funding of maintaining property that is surplus to current needs.
“The Centre was declared surplus to Council requirements in October 2024, and no-one approached the Council with any concerns. We are keen to engage with groups like Park Bridge Residents Group as we continue to carefully explore options.”
The Park Bridge Heritage Centre, surrounded by scenic woodland and walking trails, has long been a popular spot for families, school groups, and history enthusiasts. Many fear that, in private ownership, the site could lose its public access and educational role.
The change.org petition can be found here: https://www.change.org/p/save-park-bridge-heritage-centre-protect-our-history-from-private-sale