A NEIGHBOURHOOD group remains united in their efforts to secure a ‘cherished’ piece of land.

Residents of Empress Drive and Mikasa Street on Walney, backed by councillors Frank Cassidy, Helen Wall and Colin Thomson and Barrow MP John Woodcock, remain determined to save a small area of walled grassland at the southern end of their roads – known locally as “the Celtic”.

For decades the land has been a green haven on which children play, but owners United Utilities have decided to put it up for sale.

South Walney Labour county councillor Frank Cassidy said: “United Utilities says the land is of no further use to the company and it is to be disposed of.

“At first the company did not rule out arranging for residents to take ownership of the Celtic – perhaps with a realistic fee involved.

“The company did say that a potential stumbling block might be if the land was found to be contaminated.

"A survey that was carried out just before Christmas showed some contamination, but it was negligible so we thought that could pave the way for the families to make a deal with United Utilities.

“Disappointingly, the company said it intends to push ahead with a public auction, but families do not want to see the green haven they have been involved with for years to be sold for development.

“The Save Our Celtic community association has held several meetings during the past few weeks.

“They have included a meeting with our MP John Woodcock and a conversation with a legal representative.

“The land has been actively used by members of the Empress Drive and Mikasa Street communities for decades and we are united in our campaign to protect the Celtic from development and to keep it for future community use.”

A spokesperson for United Utilities said: “We have a duty to get the best value we can for any sites no longer needed and public auction is the best way to do this.

"Money generated from land sales like this goes directly back into the running of the water business, helping us reduce costs for all our customers.”