Wharf Planning Application Rejected

Stop press from Area Committee meeting 11/12/19

Last night at the Marple Area Committee meeting the application for building seven houses and converting the wharf building to community use was rejected by the five councillors for Marple. Andrew Moorhouse spoke against the application on behalf of the society, and a team of five from the developers and the Community Interest Company spoke in favour. 

The principal reasons for the councillors rejecting the application were parking and traffic congestion issues, pointing out that very little had changed since the previous application to address these same issues.

Just to reiterate from previous posts, the Society supports in every way the proposal by the Wharf Project to bring to life a historic building for community purposes linked to the Marple canal heritage. It is hoped now that the Canal and Rivers Trust will reconsider its approach and bring forward a proposal that ensures the Wharf Project proceeds but with sufficient parking and appropriate regard for the heritage value of the whole wharf area.

Further details of the meeting (including video recording of the proceedings) can be found on the Council's website here. 

Marple Area Committee: Wednesday 11th December 6pm.

Area Committee - Wharf Planning Application

Included in the forthcoming area committee meeting will be consideration of the application for the Marple Wharf area. Andrew Moorhouse will be speaking on behalf of the society, laying out reasons why this application should be refused.

The society supports in every way the proposal by the Wharf Project to bring to life a historic building for community purposes linked to the Marple canal heritage. However, the application comes as a package with seven houses and an ancillary refuse storage building and we believe there is not enough space to accommodate all the component developments proposed within it. 

Granting planning permission would not result in the best outcome for Marple and its canal heritage. Members are encouraged to attend the meeting and show the Area Committee the level of interest surrounding this matter and cause them to carefully consider their decision.

Further details of the meeting can be found on the Council's website here. 

Notice of AGM

A date for your diary: AGM to be Feb 8th 2020 at 10.30am in Marple Library

Notice of the AGM including agenda is now available here. We very much hope that as many members as possible will attend, as the meeting will be a chance to meet the new committee and discuss all that is going on in the society. The short business meeting will be followed by a lively presentation by a visiting speaker: final details are being confirmed and will be passed on in the New Year.

Meet the Team

The AGM notice also includes some brief details of those currently serving as committee members and seeking election at the AGM, demonstrating the breadth of experience of those currently involved in directing the Society. We are still keen to add one or two more people; we are especially short of women so please do consider whether you might be able to join us. 

November 2019 Newsletter now available

The latest newsletter from Marple Civic Society is now available HERE.

Key things covered include:

The latest on the Marple Wharf Project, including clarifying our support for the proposed use of the warehouse building as a visitor / recreation centre and cafe, but highlighting the fact that the current planning application includes unsuitable housing development which would crowd the site. As planning proposals cannot be split into parts to be considered separately the Society has raised objections.

Updates on Marple Pool and the Greater Manchester Spatial Framework, neither of which seem to be rushing forward but nonetheless need to be watched, together with a contribution from the Neighbourhood Forum on the key elements of the Marple Neighbourhood Plan.

Finally, a little road-sign teaser for you from the editor!

Committee Meeting Minutes September, October and November 2019

Minutes for recent Committee Meetings held on 24th September, 8th October and 11th November 2019 can be viewed here.

SMBC Consultations

The information below has been sent to some Marple clubs and societies by SMBC. We draw attention to it as members may wish to respond to these consultations as affecting Marple and its residents:

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As you may be aware there are a range of consultations that are now live on Stockport Council's savings proposals for 2020/21.

You can have your say on these proposals by vising the Council's Consultation webpage (https://consultation.stockport.gov.uk/) and completing the online surveys.

The savings proposals include:

• Libraries
• Museums
• SEND Transport
• Street Cleaning
• Support Funds

Paper surveys are available in Stockport libraries and paper surveys for the museum’s consultation are also available in Stockport museums. If you require copies of these surveys in an alternative format, please email consultation@stockport.gov.uk to request this.

These consultations close in November 2019. It is important that we receive your views by November as all of the feedback will be pulled together into a report which will then be considered by Scrutiny Committees and then at the Cabinet meeting in December.  

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Civic Society August 2019 Newsletter

The society's August 2019 Newsletter is now available and can be viewed by following the link below. Main matters covered are:

• Progress towards forming a new committee to take the society on into its next phase - this is still an ongoing process and there is room for more new faces; we're especially short of women! A particular opportunity also exists for anyone with website experience too.
• Updates on the Marple Swimmimg Pool / Leisure Centre which is project of great importance to keeping Marple a pleasant place to live.
• An opportunity for members to let us know what they think of a particular design in Marple
• Background information on the Albert Schools site development on Church Lane

Do have a read and get in touch with comments and also about any topics you think your Civic Society should be looking at."

Our latest Newsletter can be viewed HERE

A Bright Future for Marple Civic Society - the conclusion of a lively workshop

There is no doubt that Marple still needs a Civic Society; an independent voice to continue working for Marple. That is the view of those who wrote to us and the many who attended the recent AGM and Evening Workshop to discuss:                                      "The Future of the Civic Society"  

             The next meeting of potential volunteers 

             is on Monday 20th May 2019

             in Marple Library at 7.30pm

if you haven't yet responded or attended an event, but are interested in volunteering, please come along to the meeting - you will be most welcome

Gillian Postill - Presentation

The latest event took place on Monday 15th April. Gillian Postill opened the Evening Workshop and gave a summary presentation of the society's function with examples of projects, campaigns and other typical activities it is involved in.

You can see the presentation slides HERE

Ian Harvey - Executive Director of Civic voice

 Ian Harvey, Executive Director of Civic Voice, the National Civic Movement for England & Wales, joined us for the workshop. Ian's enthusiasm soon reassured us that we were not alone - he explained that many societies across the country had risen to   the challenge and overcome    the dilemma of leadership succession and gone on to build a better and brighter future for their civic societies. 

Ian promised to help and support Marple Civic Society in the process of transition.

     The lively workshop was led by Ian Harvey, Gillian Postill and member Geoff Green. 

Workshop session 1
Two key questions were examined:
1. Why do we need a society?
2. What does making Marple a better place mean to         you?





Workshop session 2                                               The groups discussed alternative structures and            ways of working that might work for the society in        the future





Finally, we asked for people willing to meet again with a view to discussing an action plan and volunteering to take the Civic Society forward to a bright and active future.
The response to the workshop and previous appeals for help has been heart warming - we believe the society has a bright future...........But we still need more volunteers - come along to the next meeting on Monday 20th May  2019 - see above for details

You can read a summary of the workshop HERE

View the presentation slides HERE and a summary of the workshop HERE

If you believe we still need a Civic Society in Marple, put the 20th May in your diary

see above (red text) for further details of next meeting

Invitation to Workshop Meeting - Monday 15th April re: The Future of Marple Civic Society

          

     It was the Civic Society's 57th AGM on Tuesday 26th March 2019

                       A Presentation & Discussion took place re:

                             'The Future of Marple Civic Society'  

                     This will be followed by an 

             Evening Workshop Meeting on Monday 15th April 

                  all welcome - you don't have to be a member - see further details below

Angus Yeaman retired after almost 50 years of service as a committee member in various capacities and as the society's President for the last 8 years. Although Angus was unable to attend the AGM, Arthur Procter gave him a beautiful photo which he took of 'The Roman' Packhorse Bridge and the Society had it framed to thank Angus for his outstanding contribution to the society.

Chairman Gillian Postill announces her retirement

The Chairman, Gillian Postill, announced her retirement after serving on the committee for 12 years and in the role of chairman for 9 years. She spoke of considerable community work in relation to the Town Centre and Marple Wharf and development of the Society's planning system, as significant activity during her chairmanship. She thanked committee members, past and present, for their support and hard work.

Treasurer Gordon Johnson talks about past projects

Following the Business Meeting, Gillian led a presentation to address the future of the society in light of four committee members and the membership secretary retiring this year. 

Treasurer Gordon Johnson talked about the varied projects the society has been involved in, demonstrating the wide scope of the society's work. Planning co-ordinator, David Cooper, explained how the society now works in a systematic way in dealing with planning applications. 

Gillian explained that the society was in a good position - a healthy membership,  a secure financial position and well respected for the way it functions from a knowledgable evidence base.

  

Unanimous support 

that Marple Civic Society should continue

           for the protection of Marple   

The Society is ripe for new blood to get involved to build on the past and take it forward. Those present at the AGM were in no doubt that the society should continue - but that will only happen if volunteers come forward. 

 Gillian said: "working for Marple through the Civic  Society is one of the most exciting and rewarding  things you can do - and you don't have to be a  'professional' - I'm a nurse but I love Marple and I love   people - that's all you need to succeed"

                      See minutes of 57th AGM HERE

              Thanks to Arthur Procter for the photos

 

 

Ian Harvey -
Executive Director of Civic Voice
will join us to help facilitate the meeting

  Invitation to Workshop Meeting 

     "The Future of Marple Civic Society"

          Monday 15th, April 7.30 - 9.30pm
                 Venue: Marple Library 
     Registration and refreshments from 7.15pm

          Does Marple need a Civic Society?
                   if the answer is 'yes'
                - How should it function?
                - What should it do?
                - Who will do it?

Please join us to answer these questions and ensure that Marple Civic Society has a strong and bright future and continues to care for Marple

There is no charge for this workshop and everyone is welcome - you don't have to be a member of the society to attend - all are assured of a warm welcome..

AGM 2019 - 'The Future of the Society'

Just to remind you of the details of the Civic Society's 57th AGM

 Marple Civic Society - AGM

Followed by Presentation & Discussion re 'The Future of the Society'

Tuesday 26th March at 3.00pm - 5.00pm

In Marple Library

Refreshments served from 2.40pm

Four members of the committee are retiring this year after many years of service. 

Please join us to discuss the Future of the Society - to decide how we can move forward and build on the strength the society has built up over the last 10 years.

If you can't make the AGM come along to the evening workshop on Monday 15th April to discuss the same issue. Ian Harvey, Director of Civic Voice - the national civic movement for England and Wales - will be joining us to help facilitate the evening.

We hope to see you at either the afternoon or evening event. We are keen to give everyone an opportunity to share their views and ideas. You don't have to be a member to attend; if you care for Marple you will be very welcome.

Greater Manchester Spatial Framework Draft 2 Consultation Response

The closing date to respond to the Greater Manchester Spactial Framework is
                                    Monday 18th March 2019.

YOU MAY USE THE SOCIETY'S RESPONSE TO WRITE YOUR OWN RESPONSE 

TO THE GMSF DRAFT2 CONSULTATION

The proposed development in High Lane (GMA38) plans 500 houses - supposedly suitable for elderly people - on a greenfield site along the A6 on the edge of High Lane Village. This is very odd logic. There is a need for suitable accommodation for older people but it should be in the village centre, not on the edge of the village where public transport is inadequate, there is no social connection and the only means of accessing the local doctors, shops, village hall, library, other than by car, is a dangerous, unpleasant uphill trek along the A6 which already has high pollution levels and congestion, made worse recently following the opening of the A555 link road from the A6 towards Manchester Airport.

We recently attended a meeting with Manchester Mayor, Andy Burnham, arranged by Cllr Blair for 'Save Stockport Green Belt (SSGB)' and other High Lane community Groups. The Mayor listened and was receptive to suggestions. We explained that it is possible to avoid building on Greenbelt land by either using the most recent housing projection figures (the Government and GMSF continue to use out of date ones) or by reducing the length of the plan to 15-17 years. Both are political choices so we hope the politicians will make the right choices to avoid building on Greenbelt.
We learned that the last GMSF consultation didn't receive a huge written response, so........

PLEASE RESPOND TO THE CONSULTATION IF YOU HAVEN'T ALREADY DONE SO  THERE IS STILL TIME AND IT WILL MAKE A DIFFERENCE

Send your response by email to:

 planningandhousing@greatermanchester-ca.co.uk 

Alternatively, use the SSGB questionnaire, prepared by Cllr Blair, or visit us in High Lane Village Hall tomorrow from 10.30 - 2.30pm - questionnaires will be available and we will be helping people to complete them.

Our full response to the GMSF consultation can be found HERE

SSGB residents response form can be found HERE

Notice of AGM 2019 - 'The Future of the Society'

                 We hope you will join us for the Civic Society's 57th AGM                                            

                                          Marple Civic Society

                  AGM - followed by: Presentation & Discussion re "The Future of the Society"

                                               Tuesday 26th March at 3.00pm - 5.00pm

                                                                    in Marple Library

                                                   Refreshments served from 2.40pm

                Following the Business Meeting there will be a presentation and discussion about:

                                                         "The Future of the Society" 

Four members of committee will be retiring this year after many years of hard and dedicated service. 

There is no doubt that Marple would be a poorer place without a Civic Society but we are at a cross-roads - how does the Society go forward and build on the strength it has built up over the last 10 years? This is what we will be addressing at the AGM. 

If you can't make the AGM there will be an opportunity to come along to an evening workshop - details available soon - we want as many people as possible to help us to decide the "Future of the Society"

We have an opportunity to recruit new blood wth fresh ideas to reinvigorate the committee and the society - find new people with energy and enthusiasm to take forward a dynamic and thriving society that will continue to stand up for Marple. But how do we do that? We need your help to find the answer. 

Please join us - you don't have to be a member - if you care for Marple you will be very welcome.

Better still, bring a friend, neighbour or family member - join us for a chat over refreshments at 2.40pm - All are welcome (N.B. only members can vote for election of officers and committee members)

If you wish to stand for committee or to nominate someone, you can obtain a nomination form by emailing us: mail@marplecivicsociety.org.uk