Tameside Conservatives have called on three Labour councillors to resign from roles of responsibility at the borough council as a war of words brews over plans for a former school site. 

As reported last week, Tameside Council is proposing the former Two Trees High School site in Denton should be earmarked for housing. 

But Denton South’s three Labour councillors George Newton, Claire Reid and Jack Naylor reacted with anger at the proposals. 

They issued a joint statement saying they were opposed to housing on the site and wanted to see it retained for education purposes. 

However, Timothy Cho, Conservative candidate for Denton South in May’s local elections, has hit out at their claims. 

He says the three councillors serve on council bodies, with Cllr Reid the Assistant Cabinet Member for the department that bid for an £800,000 share of funding to build new homes across Greater Manchester.  

He also pointed out that Cllr Newton is the Assistant Cabinet Member to the leader of the council, while Cllr Naylor chairs the Audit Panel. 

Mr Cho has now called on the three to resign from those positions. 

He said: “If we are to believe they are truly ‘saddened’ about this development, then I call on them to put their money where their mouths are and resign their extra positions with the high allowances.” 

Councillor Dan Costello

Tameside Conservatives’ Spokesperson for Housing, Planning & Employment, Cllr Dan Costello, added: “Whilst we Conservatives support the use of brownfield sites before green field or greenbelt sites, I am concerned about the behaviour of local councillors regarding this development.  

“Time and time again across Tameside, the local Labour councillors express fake outrage over decisions their own Party colleagues are forcing through.  

“We’ve seen this already at the development at the former Hartshead High School site in Ashton.  

“The Haughton Green councillors have known about this for over a year and have had ample time to stop it. Yet they have done nothing.  

“Now they say they are against the green fields being concreted over, but we need strong action, not warm words.” 

However, the three Denton South Councillors hit back, saying that any accusation that the they have been involved in helping the council bring forward development on Two Trees for housing was a lie, labelling the Tory claims a “cheap political stunt”. 

Speaking on behalf of Team Denton South Cllr Claire Reid said: “Any suggestion that myself, George Newton and Jack Naylor have helped to bring forward the Council’s plan to develop Two Trees or have aided it in any way is a complete lie. The Denton South Councillors have always been open with residents regarding this site and this can be clearly evidenced. 

Denton South Councillors [L-R] Cllr George Newton, Cllr Claire Reid, Cllr Jack Naylor

“For Mr Cho and the Conservatives to imply otherwise is a cheap political stunt which seeks to divide our community right when we need to be united. 

“Given Mr Cho only chose to become active in Denton South six weeks before the 2021 Local Elections, we encourage him to familiarise himself with the facts before making these statements.” 

They then went on to criticise the national Conservative government, referencing housebuilding targets that have been set. 

“Instead of sewing division, Mr Cho could support the community by urging his Conservative government to reverse the unfair house-building targets forced upon Tameside so that so many houses wouldn’t have to be built or by urging his Conservative government to repay some of the £200million that they have taken from the council’s budget.   

“If Mr Cho had the interests of Denton South at heart, he would put party politics aside and ask his Conservative Government to stop this draconian assault on the Denton South community. 

“Rather than creating political videos to score points, Team Denton South are busily arranging public meetings, writing to council and government departments and spending time listening to residents and getting organised to oppose this proposal. 

“Denton South is a place we love and represent with honesty and integrity. We will ALWAYS fight to protect our precious area, and we are with the community on this 100 per cent.” 

Tameside Council issued a statement to the Reporter that said: “The former Two Trees School site was declared surplus to need by the Executive Cabinet. Prior to taking the site to the market, the Council are now considering the potential release of an additional area of land as part of an ongoing asset review which could potentially be incorporated into any future development opportunity. 

"The sale of the land and building will help generate vital funding -  which has always been something our residents have suggested as part of our budget conversations - and  would also help deliver much needed housing in the borough.

“Our officers will continue to ensure that the community is aware of any progress being made in relation to the potential sale and development of land in the area.”

Team Denton South have organised a public meeting to discuss the future of the Two Trees School Site.  

It takes place at St John Fisher RC Church on Mancunian Road in Haughton Green at 7pm this Friday (24 September).