Neighborhood Forum AGM - Saturday 15th September

The Marple Neighbourhood Forum AGM will take place on Saturday 15th September 2018 at the United Reformed Church on Hibbert Lane, starting at 10am and finishing at 12 noon.

After the AGM business there will be an open forum to discuss the six key themes of the Plan. These themes are included in the draft Neighbourhood Plan which is currently out for consultation and there are several ways in which you can respond. 

Further details about the AGM and how to respond to the Neighbourhood Plan consultation are explained in the latest Neighbourhood Plan newsletter - see HERE.

The AGM is a public meeting, free of charge and everyone is welcome.

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

Stockport Local Plan & SEMMMS Refresh - Civic Society Response to Stockport MBC Consultations

Marple Civic Society's response to the Stockport MBC consultations on the draft Local Plan & SEMMMS refresh can be viewed HERE

The closing date for responses is 8th October 2017, so there is still time to                               send individual responses.  Please feel free to use the Civic Society response                         to inform your response if you wish.

Summary of Response
Taken together, the draft Local Plan Issues and Options and SEMMMS consultations:

1. Land-use planning and transport planning are fundamentally linked but the papers do not explain how these two issues can or will be progressed together. We think they should have been presented as one paper, not as separate consultations. This is essential if we want to plan successful, balanced communities in Stockport and to create inclusive places with a good quality of life.
   
   
2. The SEMMMS paper does not acknowledge that from 2001-17 the only substantive SEMMMS delivery has been road schemes (new roads, plus some limited bus priority improvements); there has been almost no delivery of alternative schemes. More important than a wish-list of schemes is the creation of a clear delivery mechanism for all modes of transport, particularly public transport and cycling, not just the new road element.
   
   
3. A much more thorough approach to the District Centres as shopping and service centres should be taken and their ‘health’ examined more carefully. Attention should be paid to the quality of public realm and the need to ensure traffic does not dominate communities.
   
   
4. The role of Neighbourhood Plans is ignored – these are a part of the statutory planning system and several plans are in active preparation.
   
   
5. There is not enough concern with housing quality, and no real discussion about density. Target numbers appear to dominate thinking. High density is fully compatible with high quality – there is ample evidence that ‘compact city’ development in northern Europe creates better housing and better environments than we do in Stockport.
   
   
6. Employment should be better linked with housing, and be less Stockport-centric
   
   
7. Green Belt development should be a last resort, and the focus for new housing should be on existing urban areas
   
   
8. Green Infrastructure should be an integral part of new developments 
   
   
   

Town Centre Regeneration - Neighbourhood Forum AGM

Phil Jones

Phil Jones, of Phil Jones Associates, will speak about town centre regeneration at the Neighbourhood Forum AGM this Saturday 30th September.  Phil will present the Urban Design Study he carried out for Marple Civic Society (funded largely by Marple Vision Partnership) to 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.

The meeting will take place at the United Reformed Church, Hibbert Lane between         10am and 12-00 noon.

This is a public meeting, free of charge and everyone is welcome - we hope to see you there.

More information on town centre regeneration can be found in our September Newsletter HERE

attend the NP Forum AGM on Saturday 30th September to hear Phil Jones talk

about the Tra

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c and Street Design Report and alternative solutions for Marple.

Venue is United Reformed Church on Hibbert Lane 10-12noonattend the NP Forum AGM on Saturday 30th September to hear Phil Jones talk

about the Tra

ffi

c and Street Design Report and alternative solutions for Marple.

Venue is United Reformed Church on Hibbert Lane 10-12noonattend the NP Forum AGM on Saturday 30th September to hear Phil Jones talk

about the Tra

ffi

c and Street Design Report and alternative solutions for Marple.

Venue is United Reformed Church on Hibbert Lane 10-12noon

Stockport MBC Consultation on Local Plan (Issues Paper) and SEMMMS Refresh (Part 1)

Stockport MBC has begun a public consultation on the first stage of the next Local Plan for Stockport.  It has also begun a public consultation on Stockport Transport Issues ((SEMMMS refresh). Both consultations will run until 8th October 2017.

The new Local Plan and the SEMMMS Transport Refresh will cover a 20 year period and will manage development and transport issues during that time.  Once in place, policies will be very difficult to change, so it is vital that Marple residents have their say at this stage of the plans. A public consultation is planned by SMBC, see below for details.

Under Threat from Housing Developers
Commissioned by Canal and River Trust

The current Local Plan is incomplete and relies heavily on the National Planning Policy Framework which offers little local protection to Marple.

Marple Traffic Chaos

The SEMMMS consultation speaks warmly about the achievements of the SEMMMS strategy since 2001.  Considering the traffic congestion and poor public transport links, Marple residents may feel that they have missed out on these benefits.






The Society will be responding to both consultations but we encourage members and residents to respond individually.

We welcome the views of members and residents which we will take into account in the preparation of the society's response.  What are the issues important to you? How should Marple develop over the next 20 years? We look forward to hearing from you. Contact us by email by the 22nd September 2017 (mail@marplecivicsociety.org.uk)

The society's response will be available on the website soon. If they wish, members and residents may use our response to inform their own responses.

Further details of both the SEMMMS refresh (Part 1) and the Local Plan Issues paper can be found  HERE or viewed at Libraries throughout the borough during normal opening times.

A public consultation will be held on Monday 4th September 2017 

at Marple Hall School from 6-00pm to 8-30pm

This is a "drop-in" event, registration is not essential you can just "turn up"

If you wish to register for the event see HERE

Marple Neighbourhood Forum News: April 2017

Marple Neighbourhood Forum April 2017 News can be viewed HERE.

The Forum have planned a series of meetings to meet and obtain feedback from residents.  Future meetings include:

Saturday 6^th May from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m - Temporary stall in Market Street to meet people face to face and discuss their views.   

Saturday 20^th May at 10.00am - Open meeting at the United Reformed Church on Hibbert Lane.  Everyone welcome.  

The first Thursday of every month, starting at 5.00pm - Management Committee Meetings where questions can be put to the Forum members.

Further information can be found on the Forum website HERE

Neighbourhood Forum - Newsletter Number 2

Marple Neighbourhood Forum has published its second newsletter which can be viewed HERE
The first open meeting of the forum will take place on Saturday 29th October starting at 10am in Marple Library.
The forum is preparing a Neighbourhood Plan for Marple which, if adopted by residents in a referendum, will be incorporated into the Stockport MBC planning policy for Marple.  It is vitally important that a broad cross section of the community contributes ideas and views.  If you care about Marple please try to attend on the 29th.

Marple Neighbourhood Plan Newsletter Number 1

Marple Neighbourhood Forum was set up on 27th April 2016 following a week of events to inform Marple residents about Neighbourhood Planning and to seek support to set up a Neighbourhood Forum to take forward a Neighbourhood Plan for Marple.

The Neighbourhood Forum has released its
first newsletter and plan to send one out each month.               View the newsletter HERE

Neighbourhood Plan Boundary approved by Stockport Council Executive

Marple Neighbourhood Plan Boundary was approved by the Stockport Council Executive on Tuesday 14th June following a recommendation for approval by Marple Area Committee on Wednesday 8th June 2016.

This completes a key stage of the Neighbourhood Plan process. The Neighbourhood Forum has been set up and the management committee has held its first meeting.

The next stage will be for the management committee to register the Forum membership with Stockport MBC and submit a constitution.

The Civic Society has registered as an affiliate local partner to the Neighbourhood Forum.

All Party Parliamentary Groups (APPG's) Meet to Discuss Planning System

Alan and Gillian Postill represented Marple Civic Society at a joint session between the All Party Parliamentary Group (APPG) for Civic Societies and the APPG for Local Democracy in a debate                            on the National Planning Policy framework.

The session was co-chaired by Craig Mackinley MP (chair APPG for Civic Societies), and Scott Mann MP (Vice-chair APPG on Local Democracy); the speakers on the panel were: Clive Betts MP (chair Local Government Select Committee), Baroness Parminter (Lib-Dem. Lords Principal spokesperson for Environment, Food and Rural affairs), Lord Porter (chairman of the Local Government Association).

The session explored the efficiency of the Planning System and how communities can be given a greater voice in the existing planning policy.

Key points of the debate were:

Panel chair Craig Mackinley MP with
panel members Clive Betts MP, and Baroness Parminter 

• Neighbourhood Planning is being pushed up the political agenda.  However, in spite of powerful lobbying by Civic Voice and others, with cross party support, a right of appeal against planning decisions contrary to Neighbourhood Plans was not included in the recent Housing and Planning Bill.   Baroness Parminter said that Government has agreed to review the update process and her campaign for a right of appeal would continue.

• Lord Porter said that he strongly approved of the NPPF and suggested that it should put local communities at the heart of local government.  He pointed out that the UK needs 250,000 new homes each year just to keep up with growth - a target that no government has achieved without direct intervention.
• Clive Betts commented that Planning is frequently seen as an obstacle to growth, this is not true.  As an example he cited that there are 470,000 planning consents in place in England and Wales.  It was suggested that frequently it is not in the developers interest to build more houses since it could force down prices.
• Clive Betts commented that Planning should not be seen as an obstacle but as a way for communities to shape their area.
• John Walker (Civic Voice Trustee) suggested that "Collaborative Planning" as proposed in the Civic Voice manifesto would speed up the planning process.

A short video (4 minutes) of edited highlights from the debate can be seen HERE

Speaker meeting - Greater Manchester Spatial Framework

We are pleased that Richard Wood, Planning Policy Manager for Stockport Council, will be speaking at our next meeting on Tuesday 24th May. Richard is involved in developing the Greater Manchester Spacial Framework (GMSF) policy and currently spends half of his working week in this area of planning. 

The GMSF brings together the 10 authorities of Greater Manchester to identify future housing and land requirements.  A statutory joint Development Plan will be produced to manage the supply of land in Greater Manchester over the next 20 years. As part of Stockport, one of the 10 greater Manchester authorities, Marple will undoubtedly be affected. So what will this mean to Marple? Come along to hear what Richard has to say.

Speaker meeting - Tuesday 24th May 2016

Speaker: Richard Wood, Planning Policy Manager for Stockport MBC

 Marple Library 4.00pm - 5.00pm - Refreshments served 3.40pm

Members and non members are welcome to attend speaker meetings and there is no charge for these events.Feel free to invite your friends, neighbours and family, they would be most welcome.

Neighbourhood Forum 'Right of Appeal'

Last week Peers defeated the government on a vote to allow parish councils and neighbourhood forums to have a 'community right of appeal' against decisions that conflict with their neighbourhood plans. 

The House of Lords voted 251votes to 194 for the amendment to the Housing and Planning Bill.

Neighbourhood forums and parish councils can set out priorities for development through a Neighbourhood Plan but Civic Voice, CPRE and NALC argue that there is not a sufficient rigt of appeal for a neighbourhood planning body in cases where a local authority has granted permission for a scheme that conflicts with the Neighbourhood Plan.

At 2.30pm on Tuesday, 3rd May the amendment to the Housing Bill will be debated in the House of Commons. The civic society has written to William Wragg MP asking him to join the debate and support the amendment. He is supportive of a Neighbourhood Plan for Marple and is due to meet the minister ahead of the afternoon debate to argue the case for the amendment. 

AGM Tuesday 22nd March, starting at 3.00pm in Marple Library

Join us for the Civic Society AGM in Marple Library tomorrow at 3.00pm,
The Business will be followed by the speaker meeting at 4.00pm - 5.00pm.

  Everyone Welcome - Open to the Public and Free of Charge

David Tittle
Civic Voice Trustee

For the third year running we have a speaker from the National Civic Movement, Civic Voice. David Tittle, who is a Civic Voice trustee, is interested in the Built Environment and Placemaking. He is responsible to Civic Voice for Policy and Planning matters and is an excellent and passionate speaker. He is also pro Neighbourhood Planning and has written and spoken on this and other planning matters including giving evidence at the House of Lords Select Committee Inquiry for the Built Environment. The inquiry was concerned with how better design could be achieved in the built environment. 

                   AGM and Speaker Meeting - Marple Library

                       3pm - 5pm - Tuesday, 22nd March 2016

                              Refreshments served at 2.45 pm

                      AGM Business meeting 3.00pm - 3.40pm

                                 Speaker meeting 4pm - 5pm

Ninety Attend Public Meeting to Round Off Neighbourhood Plan Exhibition Week

The public meeting in Marple Library this morning ended a lively exhibition week about Neighbourhood Planning. We struggled at times to deal with the numbers of people who attended but it was well worth the effort judging from the feedback we received.

In addition to those attending the exhibition we gave a presentation on Wednesday to Marple Area Committee (the monthly councillor meeting) and held a stakeholder meeting on Thursday, reaching out to approaching 500 people including the 90 who turned up for the final public meeting today. 

There was overwhelming support for a Neighbourhood Plan for Marple. Many thanks to all those who attended, gave us their views and showed much interest in the exhibition.

Thanks to Nancy Collantine and Arthur Procter for their help in preparing the posters and other promotional materials.

Finally, thanks to our many members who helped in so many ways - it was a superb team effort................

Neighbourhood Planning Debate at Marple Area Committee Meeting

The new style "Open Forum" at this month's Marple Area Committee meeting debated Neighbourhood Planning.  The topic was chosen to coincide with the Civic Society's Neignbourhood Planning week taking place in Marple Library.
Following a short presentation by Civic Society Chair Gillian Postill and Committee member Andrew Moorhouse, residents debated the pros and cons of Neighbourhood Planning and how it might empower local people in the development, regeneration and conservation of Marple.



The Neighbourhood Planning Exhibition continues until Saturday lunchtime when a public meeting will be held between 11-00am and 12-00 noon.

                      Everyone Welcome

Neighbourhood Planning Presentation to Marple Area Committee

Come along to the Marple Area Committee Meeting tonight to join in the discussion and ask questions about Neighbourhood Planning. The Civic Society is giving a short presentation to kick off the hour long meeting which will take place in Marple Senior Citizens Hall from 6.00pm - 7.00pm

The meeting tonight is just one of the special events taking place as part of Neighbourhood Planning week. The turn out at the first two days of the week long exhibition in Marple Library has far exceeded our expectations. We've drafted in extra support volunteers for the rest of the exhibition to make sure there is someone on hand for visitors to talk to and to answer your questions.

Marple Area Committee Meeting 

Neighbourhood Planning Presentation 

Tonight in Marple Senior Citizens Hall

Wednesday 16th March - 6.00pm - 7.00pm - 

doors open 5.30pm

Neighbourhood Planning Exhibition starts today at 11.00am in Marple Library - Monday 14th March

The Neighbourhood Planning Exhibition opens today at 11am in Marple Library.

Do you want:
to see improvements to Marple?
to help shape and influence future planning decisions?
to have residential input into further deveoplemts?
to have a long term plan for our town?

Should Marple have a Neighbourhood Plan?
We need your views.......................................

Come along to the exhibition to find out how a Neighbourhood Plan could help Marple

Neighbourhood Planning Exhibition 14th -19th March 2016

The Civic Society has arranged a Neighbourhood Planning Exhibition from 14th - 19th March to help residents decide if a Neighbourhood Plan would be good for Marple.

In the absence of a council-led local Plan for Marple, all planning applications are judged against national and strategic planning policies which are neither appropriate nor sensitive to Marple's needs and character. The result is poor planning decisions for Marple and lack of direction for the development and regeneration of the Town Centre. 

Neighbourhood Planning is a new community power that gives people more control over planning and development in their area. 

We hope you will come along to to the exhibition to find out more about Neighbourhood Planning - what it means and what it can do for Marple. If there is sufficient support an independent Neighbourhood forum will be set up to develop a Marple Neighbourhood Plan.

A Neighbourhood Plan for Marple?

Exhibition in Marple Library - 14th - 19th March

open during normal library hours

Public Meeting 

Marple Library - Saturday 19th March - 11.00am - 12noon

this will be an interactive Question & Answer session

Everyone welcome

Come along - we need your views