Marple Town Centre Regeneration Scheme

In response to a wholly unsatisfactory traffic scheme by Stockport Council in 2013 the civic society arranged an alternative community town study in 2015 by Phil Jones Associates. You can view the study HERE

Workshops & Phil Jones Associates Study of Marple

A Neighbourhood Plan Forum was then set up to take forward positive regeneration of Marple Town Centre and address other planning issues in Marple - a Neighbourhood Plan is a means of local people being more involved in shaping where they live.

The civic society is an affiliated community group on the Neighbourhood Forum and is a member of the Neighbourhood Plan Town Team.

It has been a tortuous route to get to where we are.

You can view the summary timeline HERE

The council recently commissioned Atkins, their consultants, to carry out another Marple town centre study/traffic count. The council's traffic engineers still harbour desires to widen the junction at Hollins Lane including a two stage pedestrian crossing and converting the roundabout at Littlewood's butchers into a traffic lighted junction, reminiscent of their scheme in 2013.

Marple deserves better, much better. Through the Neighbourhood Plan we will continue to work with the Phil Jones Associates Study for the positive regeneration of Marple. This approach would unite Marple and turn it into a people friendly town rather than a congested, traffic dominated one.

Stockport Council's Vision for Marple - 2013 scheme - see HERE

2008 - The Hollins junction came under threat for the first time

2013 - The council's 2nd attempt to widen the Hollins  with the addition of traffic lights to replace the roundabout at Littlewoods butchers

2018 - These junctions are threatened again following the SMBC Atkin's transport study:

-  Hollins Lane/Stockport Road

-  Hibbert Lane/Stockport Road

-  Church Ln/Hibbert Ln 

-  Stockport Road/Station Road/Cross Lane

An alternative Vision - this is how Marple could look

Artists impression - view west along Stockport Road towards Hollins Lane

This sort of approach would unite the town centre which is currently 'divided' by the barrier effect of Stockport Road and : 

   - help to reduce traffic congestion 

   - create a people-friendly town and reduce the dominance of traffic

   - ensure all shops are easily accessible on foot from one shop to another

   - provide easy access to community facilities and civic amenities

   - ensure the town is safe, convenient and pleasant for everyone, whether on foot,                      cycle, bus or car

   - reconcile traffic movements with quality public spaces in the town centre

Civic Society Chairman at No 10 Reception

Civic Society chairman, Gillian Postill, attended a reception for Community Champions at no 10 Downing street in recognition of her community work on behalf of Marple Civic Society. It was a great opportunity to fly the flag for Marple and explain to the Prime Minister our aspirations for a Neighbourbourhood Plan to Regenerate Marple Town Centre.

ASDA Cleared to Buy Marple Coop by Competition & Markets Authority

The Competition & Markets Authority (CMA) has cleared the ASDA purchase of the Marple Coop store.

In its judgement the CMA commented that if ASDA has more significant development plans that the Coop had "pre-merger" this does not mean that the merger will give rise to a substantial lessening of competition.  It went on to say that any development plans by ASDA may be subject to local planning law.

Finally, the CMA commented that it had seen no evidence that the merger will have a negative impact on the potential entry of another grocery retailer (Councillors please note!)

The full judgement can be seen on the CMA website HERE

Report on Marple Area Committee Meeting 5th November 2014

A report of the Marple Area Committee meeting that took place on
5th November 2014 can be viewed here

One matter of particular note this month is that the proposed Chadwick Street foodstore has been put "on hold" by our councillors because, allegedly, no one is interested and Asda has bought the Coop!

It is worth reflecting that if our council had gone ahead with the Kirkland proposal in January 2013 we may, by now, have had a rather fine Waitrose foodstore in Marple.

Future Area Committee Meetings:

Wednesday 10th December 2014

Wednesday 4th February 2015

Report on Marple Area Committee Meeting 24th September 2014

A report on the Marple Area Committee Meeting that took place on 24th September 2014 can be viewed here

Two matters are worthy of special note this month:

At the Area Committee Meeting of 12th March 2014 Cllr Candler, then Chair of the Area Committee, gave an undertaking that there would be a progress report on the proposed foodstore development on Chadwick Street at every Area Committee Meeting. The undertaking followed pressure from many quarters including the Civic Society who felt that the council's sacking of Kirkland as the preferred developer for Chadwick Street would lead to delay if not abandonment of the project.  Our worst fears seem to be coming to pass.  Rumours abound but hard information from the council is difficult to obtain.  Is it too much to ask that our elected representatives level with us and let us know what is happening?

The other matter of note is that a planning application for the garage site at the Church Lane end of Marple Wharf came up for consideration.  A planning consent was given in 2004 for three houses.  The developer now feels that he needs to build five houses to make the project viable and has sbmitted a planning application to change the design to the anonymous block of five houses pictured below.

This is the development that Cllrs Alexander, Candler and Abell
could not make a decision on!

The Civic Society strongly opposed the application on the grounds of overdevelopment (amongst others). Sadly, only Cllr Ingham was prepared to refuse the application.  Cllrs Alexander, Candler and Abell voted to send the application to the SMBC Planning and Highways Committee without a recommendation.  This means that a group of Stockport councillors with little knowledge of Marple or its heritage will make a decision on the development of this important site without any guidance from our local councillors.
Cllr Bispham could not speak due to a conflict of interest and Cllr Dowling is committee chairman and made no comment.

See our full Area Committee report here and our full response to the planning application here

Future Area Committee Meetings

Wednesday 5th November 2014

Wednesday 10th December 2014

Speaker Meeting Report - Planning in Relation to Marple Development -Tuesday 29th July 2014

A well attended and lively speaker meeting held on 29th July heard Planning Policy Officer, Steve Johnson, speak on the subject of "Planning in Relation to Marple Development".  

Steve described changes in planning law over recent years, the stage that Stockport MBC are at in implementing the new legislation - the Local Development Framework (LDF) - and how Neighbourhood Plans could be applied in Marple.  

He explained that the LDF borough strategy document - the Core Strategy - had been implemented but the LDF local plans have not  been implemented.

Main points to arise from the questions and discussion during the meeting are:

• The implementation of the Allocations DPD (the local plan for Marple under the new LDF legislation) is at least 12-18 months away. 

• There was keen interest amongst those present to learn more about Neighbourhood Plans particularly in the absence of a local Marple plan to guide the many challenges that face Marple centre.  

• Steve confirmed that in the absence of an LDF local plan, the Unitary Development Plan from the old planning system is used and also the national strategy planning document - the National Planning Policy Framework (NPPF). Neither are sensitive to Marple's current needs in planning terms.

• Deep concern was expressed amongst those present regarding the traffic scheme associated with the Chadwick Street car park. Steve confirmed that planning consent is in place and the traffic scheme could be implemented at any time.   

It was noted that the agenda for the next Area Committee meeting on Wednesday 6th August 2014 contains an item (item number 8) listed as "Neighbourhood Action Plans". We can confirm that this is not connected with Neighbourhood Plans as discussed at the meeting.

All photos by Arthur Procter            More photos here   

DCLG Offer Support for Marple Neighbourhood Plan

Following the visit to Marple by Nick Boles MP (Parliamentary Under Secretary of State for Planning) the Minister has written to the Civic Society offering help from his officials in understanding how neighbourhood planning might help Marple realise its ambitions.


The minister pointed out that once neighbourhood plans are implemented in law they become part of the development plan and are used to decide planning applications.






The letter from the Planning Minister can be view here

Report on Marple Area Committee Meeting 4th June 2014

A report of the Marple Area Committee meeting that took place on 4th June 2014 can be viewed here

Chadwick street Foodstore

The chair's report on the Chadwick Street foodstore development consisted of the following:

• there is still interest in the project
• interested parties will work up a bid
• action is possible by the end of June

Marple residents were promised a monthly report on progress, the few bland words above are not a report.  This is not good enough and residents should let their elected representatives know.

Straight answers to a few simple questions would be helpful:

• what sort of retailers are interested?
• what criteria will be used to judge the options?
• who decides if a new planning application will be required, bearing in mind that a planning consent is in place for a foodstore that includes a traffic scheme wholly unaceptable to the Civic Society and everyone consulted by the Civic Society?
• when and how will residents be consulted in particular on traffic management and the public realm?   

The Civic Society's position is clear:

The Civic Society has asked the council to commit to an independent study of the public realm in the town centre of which the traffic scheme would be an integral part of the design. This must include meaningful consultation with the people of Marple - nothing less will do.    


Community Right to Bid - Windlehurst Park

The first nomination for listing of an "Asset of Community Value" under the Community Right to Bid legislation is Windlehurst Park and it was considered by the committee.  The "decision to list" was delegated to the committee chairman who will consult the relevant officer.  A positive outcome is anticipated.   


Future Area Committee Meetings

Wednesday 9th July 2014

Wednesday 6th August 2014

Wednesday 24th September 2014

Wednesday 5th November 2014

Wednesday 10th December 2014

Planning Minister Nick Boles MP visits Marple Civic Society

Planning Minister Nick Boles MP today visited Marple to speak with Chair of Marple Civic Society, Gillian Postill, and Prospective Conservative MP William Wragg about the issues affecting Marple Town Centre and how sensible development can enhance the town.

The Hollins Road/Stockport Road Junction
which will be widened as part
 of the traffice management scheme

Gillian explained to the Minister that the society supports the town centre foodstore development and views it as a significant regeneration opportunity. However, the supporting traffic management scheme, designed by SMBC traffic engineers without public consultation, is wholly unsatisfactory. The scheme is focused on cars with almost no consideration given to the public  realm or people movement around the town.

Gillian Postill and
 Planning Minister Nick Boles MP

The society is calling for an 'Independent Urban Design Study' of the town to take a fresh look at all the issues relating to modern place-making with the aim of creating a  people-friendly place for Marple town centre. This should include meaningful public consultation.

The Minister was clearly interested in what we had to say and we are glad that he wants to be kept informed; we will certainly keep him updated.

Photos by Arthur Procter

Brief for Planning Minister Nick Boles MP visit to Marple - view here
Planning Minister meets Marple Civic Society - Press Release - May 2014 - view here

Hawk Green Residents Association May Day Festival

The Civic Society had a stand at the Hawk Green Residents Association Mayday Festival, held in bright sunshine on "The Green" on 17th May.  The festival theme was a commemoration of the start of the 1914 -18 war.  The event included maypole dancing by children from All Saints Primary School, music from the Hawk Green brass band and a range of stands from local groups and craft stalls.

The society's stand included a display on the "Right to Bid" legislation to protect our "Assets of Community Value" and details of our views on the proposed traffic management arrangements associated with the new foodstore the council are planning for Chawick Street car park. 

We received seven suggestions of Assets of Community Value from members of the public which the civic society will consider nominating for listing.

We took the opportunity to brief local councillors

and our patron, Andrew Stunell MP, on the society's view regarding the Chadwick Street development traffic scheme and our call for an "independent urban design study" of which the traffic scheme would be an integral part.

Thanks to Arthur Procter for the photos.

Marple Area Committee Report 16th April 2014

A report on the Marple Area Committee Meeting that took place on the 16th April 2014 can be viewed here

Chadwick Street Foodstore

The chair's report on the proposed Chadwick street foodstore development included the following:

The development is being taken forward as a key priority
There is interest from retailers
One option being considered is for the Royal Mail remaining on the site
A new planning application may (or may not) be required
Further dialogue around the traffic schemes will be required.

The report raises more questions than it answers, for example, 

what timescales do the council envisage for a "key priority"?
what sort of retailers are interested?
what criteria will be used to judge the options?
who decides if a new planning application will be required, bearing in mind that a planning consent is in place for a foodstore that includes a traffic scheme wholly unaceptable to the Civic Society and and everyone consulted by the Civic Society. 
who will the "further dialogue" on traffic schemes be between?  

The Civic Society has asked the council to commit to an independent study of the public realm in the town centre of which the traffic scheme would be an integral part of the design. This must include meaningful consultation with the people of Marple - nothing less will do.    

Future Area Committee Meetings

Wednesday 4th June 2014

Wednesday 9th July 2014

Wednesday 6th August 2014

Wednesday 24th September 2014

Wednesday 5th November 2014

Wednesday 10th December 2014

AGM and Speaker Meeting 2014

The society's 52nd AGM took place on Tuesday 25th March in Marple Library.

Chairman Gillian Postill took the opportunity to discuss the importance of effective communication with members and the threat posed by the the traffic scheme associated with the planning consent for the new foodstore on Chadwick Street car park.

She pointed out that the traffic scheme had not been consulted on and need not be consulted on if the council goes ahead with the foodstore in its present form.  She confirmed that the civic society supports a new foodstore as a means of regenerating Marple centre but with a condition that the council re-thinks the public realm and traffic management proposals and commissions a public realm fesibility study to look at options, and involves the community in a meaningful consultation. If "localism" means anything it means giving the people of Marple a say in how their town is developed.

The society has obtained a budget quote from a leading consultancy for an initial feasibility study to examine existing traffic data and provide schemes showing how Marple centre could look.  The cost £5000.  This is a very small sum compared to the total spend on the existing scheme, much of which may well be unnecessary.

During questions Cllr. Ingham (Marple South) made clear that she supported the society's call for an independent study into the public realm and traffic management issues in Marple centre.

Finally, Gillian drew attention to the painting of Mellor Mill donated to the society by Barbara Sexton whose late husband, Basil, was a founder member of the society.  She thanked Barbara for the generous donation. She also thanked life member Steve Abbott for his research into the history of the painting and our president Angus Yeaman for looking after the painting for the society until we can find a suitable location to put it on public display.

Read Gillian's address in full here.

See trustees report for a summary of the society's work during 2013 here

Treasurer Gordon Johnson presented the accounts which had been independently examined.  He paid tribute to Mike Kinder our honourary examiner for many years and confirmed that he had agreed to continue for the coming year.  Gordon reported that we had a surplus for the year of £190.47 and the balance of the society's funds is £2404.46 which is sufficient to fund the society's activities throughout 2014.

The society's accounts for 2013 can be viewed here

Complete minutes of the AGM can be viewed here

The election of officers, committee members and advisors was followed by a talk by Freddie Gick, chairman of trustees of Civic Voice.

Freddie spoke about the role of Civic Voice in representing local societies at national level through ministerial contact and through the "All Party Parliamentary Group for Civic Societies"

Civic Voice has approaching 300 affiliated societies with approximately 75000 members giving it significant influence when speaking to legislators.

Photos by Arthur Procter more here

Marple Area Committee Report 12th March 2014

A report on the Marple Area Committee Meeting that took place on the 12th March 2014 can be viewed here

Chadwick Street Foodstore

The Chair made the following announcement:

There will be a progress report on Chadwick Street Foodstore development as part of Chair's announcements at all future Marple Area Committee meetings

A member of the Civic Society attends the monthly Marple Area Committee meetings where issues relating to Marple are discussed and important decisions are made.

There is also an opportunity for the public to ask questions of our elected representatives (councillors) and all questions, issues, discussions and decisions are minuted as part of the democratic process.

For past reports see "Marple Area Committee Reports" under NEWS ITEMS

Dates of future Marple Area Committee meetings:

Wednesday 16th April 2014 

Wednesday 4th June 2014

Wednesday 9th July 2014

Wednesday 6th August 2014

Wednesday 24th September 2014

Wednesday 5th November 2014

Wednesday 10th December 2014

Chadwick Street Car Park - change of developer approved by Stockport MBC Executive Committee

At a closed session of Marple Area Committee on 5th February 2014 councillors voted to recommend acceptance of a report by the Director for Place Management and Regeneration on the future development of Chadwick Street car park.

The report recommended that the contract with their previously preferred developer, Kirkland Developments, should be terminated and the council proceed with an in-house scheme using their new property partners Carillion:CBRE.  The Civic Society submitted a report to the Area Committee restating its position that it supports the foodstore development as a means of regenerating Marple but has grave concerns regarding the council's traffic scheme and calls for an independent study. See here for our report. The Director's report came before the Council Executive the following week for final approval and was approved. See here for minutes of the Council Executive meeting (Item 18).

We have two serious concerns:

• an in-house scheme removes commercial pressure and therefore could delay the start date of the development.

• there will be no requirement to resubmit a new planning application.  This means that the council's traffic scheme, which would create a 'ring road' effect around the new store and precinct, has planning permission to go ahead. 

Would you like to see this space used for an extra lane of traffic?

The Director's report states that the development "is strongly supported by the local community".  This may well be the case for the foodstore but the traffic scheme was NOT part of the Kirkland consultation. Therefore, the community has NOT been consulted on the widening of Stockport Road at the Hollins Lane junction (including pedestrian island and two stage crossing) or traffic lights to replace the roundabout at Littlewoods butchers.           Indeed residents consulted by the Civic Society, many of whom attended the Kirland consultation, were not aware of the traffic proposals.

Following the Area Committee meeting, chair of committee Cllr. Candler wrote to the Civic Society in response to our submission.  He said that our report would be minuted, that the Area Committee understood our concerns and that "there may well be a need for a complete review of the highway implications of any revised scheme as we move forward".  

However, the minutes of the Council Executive meeting, where the decision was taken, show that the Civic Society's concerns were not discussed.  Only public pressure now stands in the way of a full implementation of the council's traffic scheme.  

The Civic Society's position remains that we support the provision of a food store on Chadwick Street car park with the condition that an independent urban design exercise is carried out to include meaningful consultation with the local community.

In view of the long term effects the development will have on our town the Civic Society believes that this is not too much to ask.

Marple Area Committee Report 5th February 2014

A report on the Marple Area Committee Meeting that took place on 5th February 2014 can be viewed here

Chadwick Street Foodstore

The meeting received a report from the Stockport MBC Director for Place Management and Regeneration on the proposed foodstore on Chadwick Street.

In summary, the report referred to a reduced offer for the site from Kirkland and suggested four options open to the council:

    1. Do nothing - accept the status quo

    2. Accept the reduced offer

    3. Re-market the site

    4. Undertake direct delivery in collaboration with new strategic partners Carillion and CBRE

The director recommended that councillors should decline the Kirkland offer and choose option 4.

After a short closed session councillors chose option 4.

The Director's full report can be viewed here

The Civic Society submitted a written response to the report prior to the meeting re-stating our position that we support a foodstore on the Chadwick street site with the condition that an independent urban design study is carried out with local community involvement before work commences.

The society has evidence that the "strong public support" referred to in the director's report may be true for the foodstore but is not the case with the associated traffic/public realm proposals which involve more traffic lights (at the Littlewoods junction), guard rails and a widening of Stockport Road at the Hollins.  These proposals were not part of the Kirkland consultation.

The Civic Society's full report can be viewed here

Would you like to see this space used for an extra traffic lane?

For past reports see "Marple Area Committee Reports" under NEWS ITEMS

Dates of future Marple Area Committee meetings:

Wednesday 12th March 2014
Wednesday 16th April 2014 

Wednesday 4th June 2014

Wednesday 9th July 2014

Wednesday 6th August 2014

Wednesday 24th September 2014

Wednesday 5th November 2014

Wednesday 10th December 2014

Chadwick Street Development Update

Further to the public questions asked at the Area Committee on 11th December 2013 concerning the Chadwick Street development, the Corporate Director for Place Management and Regeneration has provided a response and confirms that:

• It is not possible to say when the development is planned to start. For this to be possible an end user will need to be contracted and for this to be possible, the relocation of the Royal Mail will need to be agreed. This remains the subject of detailed negotiations.

• In respect to the request that any negotiations on the sale of the Chadwick Street site be concluded as quickly as possible - it is the intention for a report to be submitted to the council's Executive in February.

• Serious consideration will be given to the future of Marple town centre in all negotiations.

• In respect to the request that the long term importance of the site to Marple will be weighed against a short term financial gain to the Council - it is not a question of short term financial gain to the Council, the key issue is the optimum means of delivering the site.

• In response to the suggestion that a proactive Town Centre First policy which has been applied so far in Marple should be maintained - the answer is yes. That is the council's adopted planning policy (as well as national policy) and there is no question of changing it.

The Civic Society supported the planning application for the Chadwick Street Development as a means of regenerating Marple provided that wider public realm and traffic management issues are addressed by an independant study as part of the scheme, to make Marple not just a car friendly place but a people friendly place too. 

Chadwick Street Foodstore Progress Report

At the Marple Area Committee Meeting of 10th July 2013 Marple Civic Society requested a progress report on the proposal for a foodstore on the site of Chadwick Street car park.  

At the Marple Area Committee Meeting of 7th August 2013 Committee Chairman Cllr. Martin Candler made a statement that included the following information:

Kirkland Developments were granted planning permission for a food store on the site of Chadwick Street car park in March 2013.  They now have 3 years to implement their proposal.

The council is in active discussion with Kirkland about several aspects of the proposal.

Discussions are ongoing with Royal Mail about their relocation to another sorting office facility.  The recently announced privatisation of the Royal Mail may influence their view on the facilities they need.

ASDA have until 1st September 2013 to make further representations (appeal) regarding the CMSFC Hibbert Lane site.  It may be that a retail user for the Chadwick Street site will not come forward until after the 1st September 2013 deadline.

The college is bringing forward proposals for housing on their Hibbert Lane site and a decision on an application is expected in due course.

National Civic Day 2013

The Society celebrated National Civic Day on the 22nd June by conducting the Civic Day Survey in Marple shopping centre, canvassing support for our campaign for an independent public realm study into traffic and pedestrian flow as part of the new Chadwick Street foodstore project and tested public opinion on our proposal for a Heritage Lottery funded project to mark the 100th anniversary next year of the start of WW1.  The survey results will be analysed and published here (alonside the national Civic Voice results) within the next few weeks.

Photo by Arthur Procter

We continued our Civic Day theme at the Marple Locks Heritage Society Festival on 30th June. We had an enjoyable and successful day speaking to lots of people and recruiting several new members.

Details of the Civicwatch survey and questionnaire can be found here

National Civic Day - Marple Civic Society Events

This year the Civic Society will be in the Marple shopping precinct between 10-30am and 2-00pm on the 22nd June carrying out the National CivicWatch Survey. 

This year we have extended the survey to include two further questions on the theme of "what do you want for Marple?"

- one is about on our proposal to bid for HLF funds to carry out a project to mark the start of   World war 1,

- the second is about our campaign to include an independent study into traffic and pedestrian management in Marple centre as part of the new foodstore development on Chadwick Street car park.

We will also be taking part in the Marple Locks Heritage Society's festival in the Memorial Park on the 30th June to continue the Civic Day surveys.

Do come along and join us and to give us your views on these or any other issues for Marple.

Planning & Highways Decision on ASDA & Kirkland Planning Applications

The ASDA planning application for the Hibbert Lane College site and the Kirkland planning application for the Chadwick Street car park site went before the Stockport MBC Planning and Highways Committee on Friday 1st March 2013.

The ASDA application was refused planning permission and the Kirkland application was granted.

Although ASDA has been refused planning permission by the Local Planning Authority (SMBC) they may appeal the decision.