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 Wharf - Planning Permission refused

The Marple Wharf planning application was heard at Marple Area Committee last night. We are delighted to report that our local councillors refused the applicatioin to develop the site. Five councillors voted to refuse the application and one claimed prejudicial interest. 

Marple Wharf
Planning Permission refused by Marple Local Councillors

Of course, the wharf cannot be left as it is - it needs to be developed and cared for - the Civic Society has campaigned for 10 years for a mixed use scheme commensurate with its heritage status and including community facilities. We hope that Canal & River Trust will contact the community soon with this in mind.

Marple Wharf - Dense Housing Scheme to be decided at Area Committee 12th December 2018

It is confirmed that, after 10 years, the fate of Marple Wharf will be decided at Marple Area Committee on the 12th December 2018.  

The meeting starts at 6pm in the Senior Citizens Hall on the approach to Marple Memorial Park.

The last and final delay was due to the developer, H20 Urban, on behalf of Canal & River Trust, suggesting that our local councillors were compromised and therefor not fit to judge the planning  application. 

Of course, CRT's developer knows it is in their interest that the application is judged, not by local councillors, but by the Planning & Highways Committee who have little knowledge of, and no passion for Marple and Marple Wharf. 

However, we can confirm that our councillors at Marple Area Committee can judge the planning application and can decide to grant or refuse planning permission for the dense housing development scheme at Marple Wharf. 

Now, we can only put our trust in our councillors to do what they are elected to do - vote on the planning application and give their reasons for their decision to their electorate. We therefore trust that all councillors will use their vote and that the decision is made by them in Marple - to this end, when working with councillors we have been careful not to compromise their position to vote on the application. At all times we have observed the rules for working with councillors on local campaigns which are clearly set out in the Localism Act.

The community of Marple and those who really care for Marple Wharf have more than 'done their bit' to work with Canal & River Trust (CRT) to find an acceptable scheme for this important canal heritage site - but to no avail. CRT refused to budge - all negotiations ended in 'No Change'

If you care about Marple Wharf and think it derserves better, come along to Marple Area Committee on the 12th December 2018 to let your councillors know your views. Although you cannot speak your presence will speak volumes. We hope to see you there.

The Area Committee Agenda gives the following details about the Marple Wharf Planning application:

"In connection with redevelopment of Marple Yard comprising the change of use and conversion of the former canal warehouse to residential use (Use Class C3); demolition of outbuildings and structures; the erection of 7 no. dwelling houses (Use Class C3) and a storage building incorporating a waterway service station, together with associated landscaping, parking and alterations to access road (and listed building consent) at Marple Wharf.

The Area Committee are recommended to grant planning permission."

NB - The recommendation to councillors is just that - a recommendation - the councillors have the powers to grant or refuse the application.

Marple Wharf Housing Development Application 'on hold' again...

The Marple Wharf planning application will not come to the November Marple Area Committee Meeting for determination.

It is astonishing that the Marple Wharf application, yet again, has been put 'on hold' - As the application was submitted in September 2017 we are flabbergasted to learn that it is not on the agenda for November when all the signs were that it would be.

We do know that CRT and H20 have constantly struggled to make the application acceptable to the planning officers, heritage officers and highways officers due to overdevelopment of the site. We can only assume that their efforts have been in vain but fail to see what else they can tweak to make it acceptable without reducing the density of the development. 

We will continue to monitor the situation and publish any news when we have it. 

Marple Wharf - the day of judgement - 26th September 2018

Finally, after almost 10 years, the fate of Marple Wharf is likely to be decided on Wednesday 26th September 2018 at the Marple Area Committee meeting. 

The community of Marple and those who really care for Marple Wharf have more than 'done their bit' to work with Canal & River Trust (CRT) to find an acceptable scheme for this important canal heritage site - but to no avail. CRT refused to budge - all negotiations ended in 'No Change'

Now, we can only put our trust in our councillors to do what they are elected to do i.e. vote on the planning application and give their reasons for their decision to their electorate. We therefore trust that all councillors will use their vote and that the decision is made by them in Marple - not shunted off to a planning committee that has little knowledge of, and no passion for Marple and Marple Wharf. 

Canal & River Trust will turn the warehouse
 into a big dwelling house

Recently, the application has been held up yet again because, this time, the highways engineers were not happy with the access arrangement. In order to satisfy them, CRT's developer, H2O Urban, have had to alter the already unsatisfactory parking arrangement. The result is an even more confusing parking scheme and the loss of one visitor parking space (only two spaces remain). This demonstrates, yet again, that the site is too small for the development that is being crammed into it. See the civic society's response to this latest amendment HERE.

If you have not yet responded to the Marple Wharf planning application, or wish to send further comments, it isn't too late to do so. You can view previous responses HERE & HERE Please feel free to use our responses to help you to write your own if you wish.

We will confirm details of Marple Area Committee once the agenda is released one week in advance of the meeting. Confirmation will appear on our website when it is known and members emailed accordingly. The venue for the Area Committee meeting is Marple Senior Citizens Hall in the Memorial Park and it will start at 6pm.

Attending the meeting is the last thing you can do for Marple Wharf. Although public speaking will not be allowed, your presence will speak volumes to those making the decision.

Marple Wharf: Canal & River Trust's Developers criticise the civic society's response to their dense housing scheme at Marple Wharf

Canal & River Trust's (CRT) Developer, H20 Urban, has critised the society's response to their Planning Application for Marple Wharf. The society has objected again to the planning application and recommended refusal. View our latest response HERE - we now need you to respond (even if you responded                           to the original application)

Marple wharf

In response to our objections, H20 has sent further comments to the council's Planning Department with minimal amendments in the hope of getting the application through planning. But every time they attempt to solve one problem they create another - quite simply, the scheme represents over development of a small but highly important heritage site that is precious to the people of Marple.

H20 criticised our comments about:

- The Heritage -  they argue we have exagerated the harm to the heritage and that there is       no need to consider any public access to it

- Permitted distances between existing surrounding houses and their proposed new houses   they argue that flouting Stockport Council's required distances is 'ok in this case'

- Refuse bins - they argue that residents walking up to 50m (53 yards) to dump their rubbish      in communal skips is ok

We have lost count over the last 9 years of the number of times CRT said they would submit an application and somehow suggested the community was holding it up. This application was submitted last year and due to be decided in October 2017 - we are still waiting - the current estimate is that it will be decided in June at Marple Area Committee, but only if they feel confident it will be recommended for approval by the planning officer.

It is important that this application is judged by our councillors, those who represent us, know the community's views and understand the importance of the site to Marple's heritage. It is also important that the Local Authority (Stockport Council) know the people's views because this is a consideration taken  into account by officers when assessing the application and making a recommendation to our councillors (who should decide if planning permission is granted or refused).

If you value Marple Wharf remember: Public opinion really matters

if you have responded once - please consider responding again

if you've not yet responded - respond now - your response could rescue Marple Wharf

Link to Planning Application - see HERE

Feel free to use the society's responses to help you write your own response - in your own words if you can - it isn't too late to respond (even though the statutory consultation date has passed)

Be sure to state that your response is to planning applications: DC/067000 & DC/067001

Send your response to:

- by email: planning.dc@stockport.gov.uk

- by post: Stockport Metropolitan Borough Council 

   Growth - Development - (Planning Application Response)

   Stopford House, Piccadily, Stockport, SK1 3XE

See the society's latest response HERE

See the society's original response HERE

CRT/H20 comments in response to the society's 1st letter of objection:
Re: Heritage Issues: CRT/H20 comments see HERE
Re: Refuse Strategy: CRT/H20 comments see HERE
Re: Separation distances: CRT/H2O comments see HERE

Marple Wharf Housing Development - Planning Application DC/067000 and Listed Building consent DC/067001

The society's planning team has sent a response to Stockport MBC Planning Department to recommend refusal of planning application DC/067000 and Listed Building consent DC/067001, for a housing development, including conversion of the Grade II listed warehouse into a luxury house, at Marple                                 Wharf (Canal and River Trust Yard), Church Street, Marple, SK6 6BN

Marple Wharf Warehouse
under threat of convertion to a 4 bedroommed house

To view the application documents see HERE 

To view the Society's response see HERE

Feel free to use the Society's response to help you write your own response. 

It will add weight if you say it in your own words but the important thing is to respond - be sure to state that your response is to both applications: planning application DC/067000 and Listed Building consent DC/067001 and copy your response to our local councillors if possible.

The planning application will come to Marple Area Committee to be judged by our local councillors. Responses will be received and considered by SMBC planning officer until a decision is made.

Public opinion really does matter with this application 

............please, please respond..........

Our best guess is that it will be the December Area Commitee meeting. As soon as the date is confirmed we will email members and put the date and details on the website

Check the website regularly so you don't miss the Marple Area Committee date 

A "38 Degrees" petition to Stockport Council to reject the application has been set up 

Sign the petition HERE

DC/067001

Newsletter September 2017 - Edition 13

The society's September 2017 Newsletter is now available.

        The newsletter concentrates on 3 'Major Marple Matters':

1. Town Centre Regeneration - new traffic and street design for Marple Town Centre!
don't miss Phil Jones Associates present the community Urban Design Study - Phil will demonstrate how a holistic approach and sensitively designed streets can help to achieve a better town centre for Marple, making it more attractive and easier to move around, especially on foot. Come along to the Neighbourhood Forum AGM on 30th September - Further details in the newsletter below

2. Marple Wharf Development - it's arrived.... the planning application for Marple Wharf and the warehouse. It is now time, the last time,  for you to have your say. If you don't like what you see you have until 28th September to get your opinion heard. More information about the proposed development and how to respond in the newsletter and news item below

3. Planning and Transport Consultations - these two Council plans will decide how Marple grows and how transport is  dealt with until 2035-2040. Once in place, these plans will be very hard to change so it important to get them right now. The society's response will be available on the website to help you to respond if you wish or you can wade through the official documents if you feel inclined. Closing date for responses 8th October - Further details in the newsletter below

To view the full Newsletter see HERE 

(NB the link opens a preview page in OneDrive, click on the "Download" button to view a high resolution copy)

Marple Wharf - Planning application - How to respond

At last the planning application for developing Marple Wharf has arrived. The developer, H20 Urban, has submitted an application on behalf of the Canal & River Trust (CRT), the charity which took over from British Waterways to maintain, preserve and promote the nations canal network and its heritage.

We recognise that CRT need to raise funds but not by destroying the heritage it is charged with preserving. The final scheme fails in so many ways - quite simply, the development is just too much for the site resulting in problems of over development :   

- Inadequate parking - the parking arrangements are quite ridiculous 

  house no. 1 must park at house no 3, house no 2 at house no. 4 and so on.

- Waste disposal - shared wheelie bins for all the houses - 50 yards from house no.1

- inadequate facilities and access for New Horizons trip boat for people with disabilities -     the charity dear to Marple's heart

- inadequate services for pleasure boats - several boats queueing up to use the service         area must share a mooring with New Horizons trip boat for people with disabilities - a recipe   for frustration and friction

- a complete disregard for the unique heritage - of importance locally and nationally 

                    View the planning application HERE

Planning Application for Marple Wharf
* 7 houses - no. 7 is 4 bedrooms
*conversion of the warehouse, no.8, into a 4 bedroom house *shared mooring next to the warehouse for New Horizons & boats using the boating services
*rubbish skips, wheelie bins, New Horizons store & boating service block next to the warehouse
*loss of 3 parking spaces due to realignment of Church Street and the service road

A new look for Marple Wharf Warehouse??

Marple Civic Society set up a working-party group this year with the Local History Society, including 3 councillors, to continue working with CRT/H20urban and Stockport Council to find a community use for the warehouse. But negotiations were necessarily paused once H20 Urban announced that contracts were signed and an application for residential use due for submission. 

Our problem is that H20 Urban's valuation of the warehouse is based on a commercial residential-use for the building in its present state.  The value of the building will plummet if planning permission for residential use is refused.

We have a well worked up viable business plan for community use in the warehouse and have agreed to present this to CRT once the planning application has been decided.  The purchase price can only be settled once the planning application has been decided.

We know people feel passionately about this important heritage site because we received 100 emails and letters from the public when British Waterways (now CRT) announced their plans for development in 2009. No doubt the council and BW received many more.

If you feel passionately about our heritage at Marple Wharf now is the time, the last time, 

to do something about it

Respond to the planning application before 28th September 2017 

See HERE for further information and how to respond

Photo by Studio Maurice Shapero

Marple Wharf Housing Development - Planning Application Submitted

A planning application reference DC/067000 and listed building consent application DC/067001 have been submitted to Stockport MBC for the redevelopment of Canal and River Trust Yard, Church Street, Marple, SK6 6BN (Marple Wharf).  The application includes the conversion of the former warehouse to one residential house plus the erection of 7 new houses on the site.

The developer is H2O Urban LLP No2, a partnership that the Canal & River Trust (CRT) have chosen to develop the site. 

The full application can be viewed HERE.  The closing date for responses to the planning application is 28th September 2017.

The Civic Society will respond to the application which will be displayed on our website.

Marple Wharf update

Marple Wharf Warehouse

The Civic Society continues to work to secure a community/heritage scheme for the Marple Wharf warehouse building. A team of nine, including 3 local councillors and a representative from Marple Local History Society, met with senior council officers and CRT/H2O urban last week to try to find a way to secure suitable space for a scheme in the warehouse.

CRT/H2O are keen to submit a planning application for 7 houses along the waterfront but we are pleased they have agreed to work with us further on the warehouse before submission of the planning application. Ideally, we would like to purchase the building or, as a minimum, take a peppercorn rent on the whole of the ground floor space. 

We are preparing a Business Plan and are due to meet again on the 8th February 2017.

CRT/H2O release their Plan for Marple Wharf - Planning Application imminent

The civic society, together with Cllr Ingham and a local architect, met Canal & River Trust in May 2015 and presented an integrated mixed-use scheme for Marple Wharf to include residential, commercial and community use. This was rejected by CRT in favour of their own scheme for a row of 7 houses.      

Artist impression of new development for Marple Wharf

The civic society is pleased that CRT's current proposal includes a mooring for New Horizons Trip Boat and a new boating facility block. We are also pleased that the Toll House will become a facility for community/CRT volunteer use.

The civic society has recently been working with CRT and H2O to secure a sustainable future for the warehouse building at Marple Wharf. We are pleased that the whole of the Grade II-listed stone warehouse is being considered for community/public space to be run by a Community Interest Company (CIC) and leased from H2O Urban on a commercial basis. We are currently working with Stockport Council and H2O Urban on how this might operate. 

CRT/H2O Urban have issued a newsletter outlining their development scheme. No further public consultation will take place by CRT/H2O Urban and they plan to submit a planning application to Stockport Council very soon.

View CRT H20 Newsletter HERE

(H20 Urban is a partnership between Canal & River Trust and property developer Bloc)

Marple Wharf Update

Mike Coates, Principle Development Manager for Canal & River Trust, has been conducting a review of Marple Wharf and work is                        underway on finalising a scheme.

Due to holiday commitments there is a pause in the review but this is expected to resume mid-September with a planning application expected later in the autumn.

Before the planning application is submitted, Mike Coates has agreed to a public consultation of the proposals and we await further details.

5 houses planned for Garage Site at Marple Wharf

A planning application on the privately owned Garage Site at the end of Marple Wharf, Church Street, Marple has been submitted to Stockport Council Planning Department.

Outline planning consent was granted for a different proposal for 3 houses in 2004. This new planning application is for 5 houses.

Proposal for a development of 5 houses
 on the Garage Site adjacent to Marple Wharf

The civic society has responded to the planning application. If you wish to respond and have your views taken into account in the written report that will be presented to our councillors at Area Committee on the 9th July, you need to respond by Friday 27th June. The best way to do this is online. See below

If you respond after this date relevant views will be represented orally at Area Committee.

The planning application can be viewed, and responded to, here on the planning applications Quick Search page of the SMBC website - the planning application number is: DC/055483

The Civic Society's response can be viewed here

Manchester and Pennine Waterways Partnership Canal Project

The Canal & River Trust (CRT) is divided into several partnership advisory groups. Marple canals fall within the Manchester and Pennine Waterway Partnership led by Prof. Walter Menzies.

The Manchester and Pennine Waterway Partnership has commissioned a Client Based Project with students from Liverpool University. The group working on Marple, Bugsworth Basin and Whaley Bridge will be looking at "how can the canal and its associated infrastructure be developed to increase the value it brings to the local tourist offer of Marple, Buxworth and Whaley Bridge as visitor destinations?"

The Civic Society and Stockport Council were invited to meet the students to discuss potential opportunities for Marple Canals and the surrounding area. The following potential tourist/visitor opportunity areas were highlighted:

Marple Aqueduct,  Lime Kilns,  Roman Lakes/Mellor Mill heritage site,  Marple Wharf,  Goyt Mill, Marple Memorial Park. 

These areas are all part of the "Vision for Marple" prepared by Marple Civic Society in 2010.

Gillian Postill (Marple Civic Society) and 
Paul Hartley (SMBC Conservation and Heritage Manager) working in Marple Library with students from Liverpool University.

Marple Wharf Urban Design Project

Since the meeting between Marple Civic Society (MCS) and Canal & River Trust (CRT) on 8th October 2012, CRT have invitied MCS to submit a community scheme for Marple Wharf.

Following on from the work carried out with Glass-House Community Led Design in 2012, MCS has now engaged in a Client Based Project for Marple Wharf with urban design postgraduates from The University of Manchester. 

Their brief is to work with the community to carefully develop sensitive and deliverable proposals for this important historical site.

This is the second time the Civic Society has been involved with a University of Manchester canal project.  The first was the "Vision for Marple - Regenerating Marple's Historic Canal".  
See here for the project report.

Marple Wharf

The Society's aim is to submit a community based scheme to CRT by June of this year.

See Marple Wharf CBP brief here  

Maintenance work planned at Marple Wharf

Maintenance work is due to commence at Marple Wharf on Wednesday 17th October.
Work will concentrate on the Warehouse, outbuildings and immediate environment.

The warehouse canopy is part of the listings therefore a timber survey is necessary to determine its condition before work can commence on this part of the warehouse.

Work to the cottages is due to start within the next couple of weeks.

Marple Wharf - Meeting with CRT 8th October 2012

Representatives from Marple Civic Society (MCS) met with the Canal & River Trust (CRT) Development Manager and Architect on 8th October 2012 for a briefing on Marple Wharf.

CRT reported that:

• Pre planning application discussions have been held with Stockport MBC
• CRT preference is for a housing led development
• No planning application has been submitted
• No final decision has been taken
• Maintenance work is planned to the wharf site

MCS responded that:

• MCS prefer a community led development
• It is difficult to progress with a community led scheme because CRT own the site
• MCS has put a team together consisting of MCS members, a local councillor, other volunteers and professional support to prepare a community led scheme based on the "Vision for Marple"
• MCS would like to form a multi-disciplinary partnership between members of the Community and CRT to develop a community led scheme

CRT will now consider the MCS response to the briefing.

Marple Wharf-Meeting with CRT Property Developers

After two and a half years, Canal & River Trust Property Developer North has contacted the Civic Society to arrange a meeting which we understand is a catch up meeting. In order to get the best out of the meeting we have requested an agenda. The meeting will take place on 8th October and we will be reporting back on the website about what they have to say.

                                

Many people have contacted us about the dilapidated state of the wharf and we will pass on those comments to CRT at the meeting.

                                            

Marple & Protect Our Place Research Project

Protect Our Place is a national campaign to discover what action is being undertaken to protect and promote local places.  It is funded by English Heritage and managed by Civic Voice.  
Marple has been chosen as one of 5 case studies nationally to be included in the research. 

Project Manager, Sarah Spurrier, joined volunteers on site visits to Mellor, Mellor Mill Site, Marple Locks, Lime Kilns, Marple Aqueduct and of course Marple Wharf.  The site visit report recognises the tremendous input from volunteers in looking after the built heritage. With respect to Marple Wharf the report concludes that "If the threat to the wharf is realised, Marple will suffer a great loss, not only to the built historic environment, but also the loss of a potential community asset"

The "Protect our Place" report can be read here 
or see "Protect our Place" website here 

Marple Wharf updated timeline - the story so far - can be read here

Marple Civic Society and supporters at Marple Wharf