ASDA parking signage and parking charge notices

Despite several representations over several months to ASDA, the parking notices have not been amended to reflect the covenant that allows free parking on the site after 7 o'clock in the evening and after closing hours at weekends. Last night the civic society was contacted by the manager of the Regent Cinema and two Marple residents who had each received a parking charge notice despite entering the car park after 7.00pm. We understand there are others.

It was great news to hear from Alan Jones, ASDA Senior Property Communications Manager, today to say that not only will all tickets be cancelled but the signage will be amended to reflect the 7.00pm free parking agreement and the fact that one can leave the site whilst parking there.                                         

If anyone else has been issued with a parking charge notice please let us know, email: mail@marplecivicsociety.org.uk -  If you have paid the charge you will be entitled to a refund.                

Marple Area Committee - Extraordinary Meeting

Marple Area Committee held an  extraordinary meeting on 28th October 2015 dedicated to hearing from groups and residents in the Marple community.  Issues raised and discussed would inform future discussions at Area Committee meetings.  

The meeting was in response to a question from Marple Civic Society in June on how the committee could increase resident's participation.  

Cllr Ingham

Following a short introduction from MAC chairman Cllr. Ingham the meeting heard presentations from Paul Lawrence (SMBC Director of Place), The SMBC Community safety Unit and the neighbourhood police team.  Whilst interesting the presentations bore little relevance to the purpose of the meeting.  We understood that the meeting was called to hear issues raised by residents not to be told how safe Marple is or to be lectured on the dangers of neighbourhood Planning! 

Resident Participation

Part two of the meeting was, however, much more useful and productive.  The meeting was divided into 7 breakout groups who discussed issues around how future MAC meeting could be organised (procedures) and issues that residents felt should be discussed (issues).  Each table presented their findings which were admirably summarised by Steve Fox of Democratic Services. 

The findings will be discussed by councillors and officers over the next 6 to 8 weeks and proposals presented at a future MAC meeting.  

We look forward to receiving

from SMBC a summary of the meeting, in particular the procedures and issues raised, commitments and timescales agreed.

Civic Voice AGM and Convention 2015

Over 130 delegates descended on Bristol last Friday 23rd October for the 6th Civic Voice Convention and AGM. 

After a comfortable first day with interesting tours around the town it was a quick freshen up and off to the conference dinner where two mayors welcomed the delegates. First the Elected Mayor George Ferguson, whose inspirational address encouraged us all to get involved in shaping our towns, followed by the Lord Mayor Cllr Clare Campion-Smith who welcomed us to the city and wished us an interesting and  successful conference. 

The theme of the conference centered around planning, placemaking and street design, with several workshops concluding that local people, passion and participation are crucial to successful places and development.  

Gillian receves her Marsh award

A highlight for Marple Civic Society was the Marsh Civic Volunteer Award 2015 to our chairman Gillian for her contribution to the civic movement.   

Colin Davies of the ‘Public Realm Information and Advice Network’ drew attention to the  fundamental change in attitudes to street design taking place amongst transport planners. He stressed that much could be done relatively cheaply by taking a staged approach and involving the community.  See HERE to view the guidance document "Street Design for All".

Civic Voice Trustees

Civic Voice is working with Historic England, Imperial War Museum and the War Memorials Trust to support communities that want to conserve, protect and learn more about their local war memorial. Civic Voice’s Anna Wilson ran a workshop to discuss the conservation issues faced by memorials and to inform delegates how they can be involved in war memorial conservation projects.  Further information can be found HERE .

Executive Director Ian Harvey and the Civic Voice team

The final workshop considered five topics to prioritise Civic Voice projects for 2016. Placemaking ranked no.1 so we can expect a series of talks, workshops, debates and lobbying at government level in the coming year about all aspects of placemaking. 

More photos by Arthur Procter can be viewed HERE

Newsletter October 2015 - Edition 9

The society's October 2015 Newsletter is now available.

See front page below for details of contents.

To view the full Newsletter click HERE

Planning Application DC/059185 - Garden House, Lakes Road, Marple

The society's planning team has sent a response to Stockport MBC's Planning Department to recommend the refusal of planning application DC/059185 - Garden House, Lakes Road, Marple.

To view the application documents see SMBC planning portal HERE

To view the society's response in full see HERE

Marple Lime Kilns Community Archaeological Dig

The first community dig at the Lime Kilns, as part of the  Revealing Oldknow's Legacy project, starts on Monday 19th October. The top soil has been removed in preparation and cabins set up for school children visits and volunteers to take part in the dig over the next two weeks.

         If you would like to take part in the dig you can book a place via the website www.oldknows.com - or call 07825 044 379 

Free - No experience necessary - For more details see poster below.

At the end of the dig we'll be exploring what's been uncovered at the Tramway Open Day on 1st November - for one day only. With a special guest from the past, this is an event not to be missed. Guided tours will take place throughout the afternoon around the Lime Kilns and site of the dig and Sarah Cattell - the archaeologist leading the dig - will be on hand to chat to.

Further information on these events and more is on the website www.oldknows.com