Meeting with Kirkland Developments re: Foodstore on Chadwick Street Car Park

Six representatives from Marple Civic Society recently met with Kirkland Developments Ltd to discuss their proposals for a foodstore on Chadwick Street car park.  Kirkland was represented by Rod Hogarth (MD), Mark Thomas (Lexington Communications) and Ian Fitton (Fairhurst Consulting Engineers).

Civic Society Position

In principle, Marple Civic Society supports retail development within the District Centre.  This is reflected in the society's positive response to the Stockport MBC Core Strategy and Allocations DPD consultations as part of the Local Development Framework.
Chadwick Street car park is the last site within the Marple District Centre available for substantial development and therefore represents the last opportunity to take a holistic approach and to look at the wider picture of how Marple functions.  It is an opportunity to look at how Marple works as a town centre, how pedestrians and vehicles move about the town and the effect of Stockport Road on the town.  It is important that the proposed development facilitates access and links to the wider retail offer, encourages access to the town's civic amenities and facilities and facilitates opportunity for civic exchange.  These are the hallmarks of modern well functioning towns and living streets.  

Civic Society Concerns

Marple Civic Society expressed concerns about the likely substantial increase in traffic, car parking, impact on houses on Chadwick Street, Walmsley and Chapel Courts and the impact of delivery vehicles. 

Kirkland Response

For Kirkland, Mr Hogarth replied that the development proposed to take advantage of the sloping site to minimise the impact of the scheme by building into the slope so that car parking on the roof of the building would be on a level with Chadwick Street.  The main entrance would face onto Trinity Street and the Market Street shopping area.  The car park would be open 24 hours with 2 hours free parking during the foodstore's hours of business.  Mr Hogarth said that they are aware of the potential traffic problem and are in discussion with SMBC who have asked for a detailed traffic census and impact assessment, a copy of which he promised to let us have when completed.

Mr Hogarth made it clear that if the ASDA/CAMSFC  proposal on Hibbert Lane were to be approved the Kirkland proposal would not proceed.

Details of the proposal can be seen on the dedicated Kirkland website:

http://www.marpletowncentrestore.co.uk/index.html

Kirkland's press release following their public consultation can be seen here:

Civic Society Social Evening

The Civic Society recently held its Annual Members Social Evening. It was an opportunity to meet and chat with our members in a relaxed and congenial atmosphere.

First to address the meeting was Steve Graham, Director of Civic Voice. Steve joined Civic Voice six months ago and is meeting as many civic societies as possible around the country.

Mellor Mill

We were then treated to a fascinating talk by Ann Hearle from Mellor Archaeological Trust entitled  "From a Ditch in a Field to a Pit in a Wood." Her talk covered the twelve years of archaeological investigations in Mellor, investigations at Shaw Cairn on Mellor Moor and the current work taking place at the site of Mellor Mill at the Roman Lakes.

Shaw Cairn


Visit Mellor Archaeological Trust Website
for further information and photos
www.mellorarchaeology-2000-2010.org.uk 

The Mellor Pot

Civic Voice Convention and AGM

The third Civic Voice Convention and AGM was held in Coventry on 19th and 20th October attended by over 100 delegates from all parts of England.  Marple Civic Society (MCS) was represented by Gillian Postill, Alan Postill and Arthur Procter.  The two day event included tours of the city to view historic sites and more recent developments on “brownfield” sites.

At the evening reception, held in the glorious 14th century St Mary’s Guildhall, Marple Civic Society received a Civic Day award for “Innovative Community Engagement” presented by Civic Voice director Steve Graham.

The following day delegates got down to the serious business of the AGM.  In a compelling keynote speech President Grif Rhys Jones alerted delegates to the dangers inherent in the government’s new, more relaxed, National Planning Policy.  After having some fun with the definition of “sustainability” Grif made the following points:

• there will be change - that is certain - and we should not resist change per se

• the current economic downturn will end but there will be others in the future

• there are many voices taking part in the economic debate including powerful commercial interests who are not concerned about the interests of local communities

• the present government’s (short term) view is to build its way out of the recession

• the civic movement should not be specifically interested in (or sidetracked by) short term solutions.  We should identify our priorities and make sure our voice is heard.

Besides the business matters the morning session included panel discussions on Neighbourhood Planning, the Portas Review, Heritage Open Days and “Placecheck” (a community led appraisal tool piloted by MCS for Civic Voice last week).

The afternoon session included lighthearted mock interviews with committee members of imaginary civic societies - with our own chair Gillian taking a leading role!  The mock interviews were used to introduce an assessment tool developed at a recent Civic Voice leadership course to help societies reflect on what sort of society they are.

The convention ended with presentation and discussion of proposals for major Civic Voice campaign ideas for the coming year. 

Many thanks to all at Civic Voice and Coventry Civic Society for organising a splendid convention. 

Reception at St Mary's Guildhall, Coventry

Delegates at Work!

Grif Delivering 
Keynote Address

Gillian Receiving Civic Voice Award
on Behalf of Marple Civic Society

More photos photos by 
Arthur Procter 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.

Civic Voice Awayday Report October 2012

The report on the Civic Voice "Strategy Awayday" held in August has been published.  

The Awayday aimed:

• to set the vision for the next three years
• to identify the organisational values which will guide the work of Civic Voice
• to revisit existing priorities and identify strategic objectives for the next three years

It was agreed that the current vision statement is still good: "Our vision is for everyone to live somewhere they can be proud of" 

The key values which should guide Civic Voice in its work were identified as follows.

•  Campaigning – strong in our advocacy and promotion of the cause.
•  Independent – unfettered in our views.
•  Grassroots - with a bottom-up approach to everything we do.
•  Responsive - accessible, inclusive and transparent to members, offering them the chance to   participate and recognising that they do it for fun. 

The full report can be read  here

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.