Asda Planning Application

We understand that Asda handed a planning application to Stockport MBC on 23rd November 2012 in respect of the CAMSFC 6th Form College site on Hibbert Lane in Marple.

The application is now awaiting validation by Stockport Council to ensure that all the information required by them is contained in the application. This will be followed by a 21 day public consultation period which will include:

• Notification of neighbours in adjacent properties
• Notification in the local press
• Site notices posted in the area

During the 21 day period, the public will have an opportunity to respond. At the close of the consultation period Stockport council officers will prepare a report, including recommendations, for the Marple Area Committee to consider. The report will take account of of responses received during the consultation period. The application will then go for determination to the Planning and Highways committee where the planning application will be either granted or refused.

Marple Civic Society is opposed to this planning application which, in our view, is contrary to local and national planning policy.

"Pride in Marple" Awards

Arthur Procter
Volunteer of the Year
Highly Commended

Two members of the Civic Society recently received a "Pride in Marple" award.  We are delighted that both Arthur Procter and Alan Proctor have been recognised for the incredible voluntary work they do for Marple Community.

The Awards Ceremony gave local councillors the opportunity to recognise and thank local volunteers for their hard work. They had the difficult task of choosing just 14 people out of the many nominations they received.
               

Alan Proctor
Environment Champion
Highly Commended
                                          

  

 Photos by Mike Frisbee   http://www.fris.co.uk
More photos Here:

Government Support for Street Pride

This year's annual CPRE lecture was given by Patrick McLoughlin MP, Secretary of State at the Department for Transport.  His talk covered road sign Clutter and the importance of removing it or, better still, not putting it there in the first place!  A Daily Telegraph report on his speech can be seen here:

We have written to Mr McLoughlin to welcome his message on the importance of removing street clutter and to tell him of our experience here in Marple.

So far our experience has not been good.  At a Street pride workshop two years ago we identified over 90 items of street clutter.  So far council officers have looked at seven of them and removed three.  We have recently been told that "most of the signs are required".  How they know this without looking at them is a mystery!







Just a few reminders of our
2010 Street Pride Campaign

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