Huge response to protect parkland petition

5.30.00pm GMT Fri 2nd Mar 2007

Maggie Hird and the Lib Dems are fighting to protect Mickleover's gardens and open spaces

There has been a big response to a petition backing new laws to protect gardens and open spaces. Mickleover Liberal Democrat Councillor Maggie Hird organised the petition in her ward and has so far raised almost 700 signatures from people living in Mickleover.

Maggie Hird recently met Lib Dem MP Lorely Burt and presented the petitions to her. Lorely Burt will be adding the petitions to the others she has collected from across Britain and will then submit all the petitions to the government.

Councillor Maggie Hird said "Protecting gardens and open space is a huge issue in Mickleover. People tell me they are sick and tired of the number of new developments being built. Often these developments are out of keeping with the rest of the area.

"I am hoping that the petition will put enough pressure on the government to force them to back new laws to give real protection to back gardens and park land. There is massive support for this in Mickleover."