The plans, which include 416 parking spaces on Platt Fields, 191 on Whitworth Park, 2metre high fencing, CCTV and 6 metre high lighting columns, has been proposed by the NHS. The car parks would be 'temporary' – for two years – and used for it's staff at the new super-hospital on Oxford Road. However, Manchester Leisure is only supporting this plan on the condition that it can take over the car parks after the two years.
Hundreds of local residents are already involved in the campaign against the car parks, and opposition to the plans is growing.

One regular park user says,' I'm very concerned about increases in traffic congestion and air pollution in this area, should the plans go ahead. People round here don't have gardens, and these parks are our only green spaces. We have little enough as it is – we can't let them take more of it for a car park.'

However, amidst the growing opposition to the Platt Fields plans, little has been said about the plans for Whitworth Park. Some people are worried that the 191 car parking spaces planned for Whitworth will be forgotten about until it is too late. It's important to protect both parks, rather than compromise and let Whitworth be sacrificed for Platt Fields. We don't have to give them any of our public space.

Many people recognise that this is not just a single issue campaign – the loss of our free public spaces is happening all over Manchester. More and more of our public buildings and parks are being sacrificed to 4* hotels, corporate interests and car parks. This is an issue for all those who are concerned about sustainable living, environmental issues and resisting corporate control. Save our green spaces!

The closing date for objectives is 11th June, write to:The Head of Planning, Town Hall, PO Box 463, Manchester M60 3NY
The planning application numbers are: Platt Fields (Ref: 071702/FO/2004/S1) Whitworth Park (Ref 071701/FO/2004/C2)
Some local residents are threatening to occupy the parks and resist the destruction should the plans be approved.