Plot to sell off land is parked

People power has won the day over the sale of Richmond Park.

The small - but appreciably perfectly formed - section of land in Aramoho was due to be sold by the Wanganui District Council.

But people living in the Parkdale Drive and Monowai Place streets in Aramoho said no, we want to keep the area as it is.

And at a council meeting on Monday, Councillor Nicki Higgie pushed for the original recommendation giving council staff the authority to sell the land to be overturned - and it was.

The asset sale is off.

Looking at a map of the area, it's easy to see that though the park is not big, it's an oasis in a residential area that really doesn't have a lot of green space.

Pocket parks are a bit trendy at the moment, with urban consultants popping them into all sorts of plans. Richmond Park seems to be ahead of its time. It's been well used by residents for more than 40 years. Though just 1.5ha, it's popular for recreation and, as one resident noted, ``the elderly used it as a walkway up what is a steep street.''

The same resident also pointed out that - with other undeveloped land, and many houses for sale in the area - it was dubious if another development was needed.

In a way, the council can't be chastised for trying to save some money. Looking at its portfolio of property and trying to figure out what can be sold is a natural response to debt levels. It's damned if it does and damned if it doesn't.

However, every piece of property it owns is actually owned by people. And public clamour seems to have sorted out what land it is acceptable to sell and what isn't.-->