'Bandits' claim on ice rink plan

Councillors and officials hoping to bulldoze Telford Ice Rink and sell the site off to developers were accused of being "bandits" by campaigners fighting to protect the town park.They claimed Telford & Wrekin Council was paying only lip service to consultation after taking decisions in secret and they called for direct action - such as a blockade of the civic offices - to save green space from being nibbled away.

They were speaking at a public meeting attended by 40 people last night at Meeting Point House in Telford Town Centre to discuss the park's future.

Latest controversial proposal - currently out for consultation - is to demolish the ice rink and build a new sports complex on the nearby grassy arena. The ice rink site would be sold off as the council's contribution to a £27 million plan to create a vibrant city centre with flats, offices and night-life.

Rob Breeze, of campaign group Hands On Our Park, said: "They are hellbent on packing as many houses and people into this town as they can."

John Franklyn, of Telford Council Watch, declared: "At least Dick Turpin had the courtesy to wear a mask.

"Why should we continue to have a bunch of bandits who will let the private sector benefit from our money?"

Councillor Denis Allen, borough cabinet member for communities, said the new Conservative leadership had inherited plans from the previous Labour rulers which were well under way.

He said he was looking for an alternative site for the new sports complex.