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..

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

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.

Albert School Building - Planning Permission (DC/065826) Granted by Planning & Highways Committee

The planning application (DC/065826) for the Albert School Building on Church Lane in Marple has been granted planning permission for development of 20 two bed apartments and 360sq meter retail space. 

The application had to be passed onto the Planning & Highways Committee to make the decision. Our local councillors asked them to make a site visit (which they did) and recommended refusal of the application (more details below 10 November 2018). The Planning & Highways Committee were divided in their opinion but, when voted on, planning permission was granted.

Whenever a planning application is refused the applicant has a right of appeal. There is no such right of appeal for a 3rd party. Therefore the civic society strongly takes the view that where councillors must (rather than choose to) refer an application 'above', they should do so with their recommendation and reasons. As local councillors, they have local interest and knowledge of our area - they know what is important locally and are aware of local opinion. The Planning & Highways Committee don't.

Although this application was refused, it would seem that our councillors' recommendation may have had an effect on the decision makers because the decision had to go to a vote.

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.

Planning Workshop - Making a Difference

 
The second of two planning workshops will take place this Tuesday 31st July 2018 (see details below). Come along and find out how you can respond and influence planning for the good of Marple. You don't have to have attended the first workshop to come to the second one and written information on both workshops will be available for everyone after the meeting.

The first workshop covered the 'Mechanics of Planning'; the second will focus on how the public can be effective in influencing planning decisions both at the consultation stage when policies are being written and with individual planning applications.

The aim of these workshops is to demystify planning and planning jargon and give you the 'know how' to get involved and make a difference.

We do hope you will join us

PLANNING WORKSHOP Two - 

Planning - Making a Difference

Tuesday, 31st July 2018

In Marple Library  2-15 - 4.30pm

Registration and light refreshments served at 2pm

These workshops are free of charge and everyone is welcome 

you don't have to be a member of the civic society - just come along 

no booking required - further details HERE

This is the first time we have arranged this type of workshop. If it's successful and what people want we can arrange further workshops on topics and issues important to you.

SEMMMS Refresh - Civic Society Response to Stockport MBC Consultation

Marple Civic Society's response to the Stockport MBC SEMMMS refresh consultation can viewed HERE

Planning Workshop - The Mechanics of Planning

The first of two planning workshops will take place this coming Tuesday, 22nd May (see details below), we hope you will come along. If you think planning is 'above your head and out of reach' worry not - you are not on your own and these workshops are designed for 'beginners' - assuming you have no prior                               planning knowledge.

With so many planning issues areound at the moment, and all the planning jargon that goes with it, many people don't feel they can actually have any influence so don't get involved. The aim of these workshops is to demystify planning and give you the 'know how' to get stuck in and make a difference.

PLANNING WORKSHOP ONE - 

THE MECHANICS OF PLANNING

Tuesday, 22nd May 2018

In Marple Library - 2-15 - 4.30pm

Registration and light refreshments served at 2pm

These workshops are free of charge and everyone is welcome 

(you don't have to be a member of the civic society - just come along - no booking required)

further details HERE

This is the first time we have arranged this type of workshop. If it's successful and what people want we can arrange further workshops on topics and issues important to you.

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

Garden House Planning Application DC/068083

The Society's planning team has sent a response to SMBC Planning Department to recommend refusal of planning application DC/068083, a retrospective application for change of use to a mixed use consisting of an urban farm and education facility together with retention of associated buildings, structures and parking area (retrospective).

To view the application document see HERE

To view the society's response see HERE

To view the society's responses to previous planning applications at the Garden House:

See HERE and HERE for DC/057081

See HERE for DC/059185

See HERE for a general statement of the society's position

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 
   
   
   

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.

Garden House Planning Applications

Following the refusal of planning permission for developments at the Garden House (applications reference DC/057081(retrospective) and DC/059185) an open meeting was held by supporters of the applicant on Friday 7th July 2017. The Civic Society sent a statement to the organisers to feed into the meeting                             discussion.

See HERE for our statement.

Planning Application DC/062507 Construction of new dwelling at 67 Hibbert Lane,

The Society's planning team has sent a response to SMBC Planning Department to recommend refusal of planning application DC/062507, construction of new dwelling at 67 Hibbert Lane.

To view the application documents see HERE

To view the Society's response in full see HERE

Planning Application DC065727 new bungalow in the rear garden of 65 Longhurst Lane, Mellor

The Society's planning team has sent a response to SMBC Planning Department to recommend refusal of Planning application DC065727 for a new bungalow in the rear garden of 65 Longhurst Lane Mellor.

To view the application documents see  HERE

To view the Society's response in full see HERE

Greater Manchester Spatial Framework - Consultation Extended

The Greater Manchester Combined Authority has announced that the public consultation on the first draft of the Greater Manchester Spatial Framework (GMSF) has been extended to 16th January 2017.

To respond to the consultation see HERE

To see Marple Civic Society's response see HERE