Report on Marple Area Committee Meeting 24th September 2014

A report on the Marple Area Committee Meeting that took place on 24th September 2014 can be viewed here

Two matters are worthy of special note this month:

At the Area Committee Meeting of 12th March 2014 Cllr Candler, then Chair of the Area Committee, gave an undertaking that there would be a progress report on the proposed foodstore development on Chadwick Street at every Area Committee Meeting. The undertaking followed pressure from many quarters including the Civic Society who felt that the council's sacking of Kirkland as the preferred developer for Chadwick Street would lead to delay if not abandonment of the project.  Our worst fears seem to be coming to pass.  Rumours abound but hard information from the council is difficult to obtain.  Is it too much to ask that our elected representatives level with us and let us know what is happening?

The other matter of note is that a planning application for the garage site at the Church Lane end of Marple Wharf came up for consideration.  A planning consent was given in 2004 for three houses.  The developer now feels that he needs to build five houses to make the project viable and has sbmitted a planning application to change the design to the anonymous block of five houses pictured below.

This is the development that Cllrs Alexander, Candler and Abell
could not make a decision on!

The Civic Society strongly opposed the application on the grounds of overdevelopment (amongst others). Sadly, only Cllr Ingham was prepared to refuse the application.  Cllrs Alexander, Candler and Abell voted to send the application to the SMBC Planning and Highways Committee without a recommendation.  This means that a group of Stockport councillors with little knowledge of Marple or its heritage will make a decision on the development of this important site without any guidance from our local councillors.
Cllr Bispham could not speak due to a conflict of interest and Cllr Dowling is committee chairman and made no comment.

See our full Area Committee report here and our full response to the planning application here

Future Area Committee Meetings

Wednesday 5th November 2014

Wednesday 10th December 2014

Report on Marple Area Committee Meeting 6th August 2014

A report of the Marple Area Committee meeting that took place on 6th August 2014 can be viewed here


Future Area Committee Meetings

    Wednesday 24th September 2014

    Wednesday 5th November 2014

    Wednesday 10th December 2014

Committee Meeting Minutes for 29th July 2014

Committee meeting minutes for the 29th July 2014 can be viewed here

The committee meeting was followed by a presentation by Planning Policy Officer, Steve Johnson, speaking on the subject of "Planning in Relation to Marple Development".  See report below for details. 

Speaker Meeting Report - Planning in Relation to Marple Development -Tuesday 29th July 2014

A well attended and lively speaker meeting held on 29th July heard Planning Policy Officer, Steve Johnson, speak on the subject of "Planning in Relation to Marple Development".  

Steve described changes in planning law over recent years, the stage that Stockport MBC are at in implementing the new legislation - the Local Development Framework (LDF) - and how Neighbourhood Plans could be applied in Marple.  

He explained that the LDF borough strategy document - the Core Strategy - had been implemented but the LDF local plans have not  been implemented.

Main points to arise from the questions and discussion during the meeting are:

• The implementation of the Allocations DPD (the local plan for Marple under the new LDF legislation) is at least 12-18 months away. 

• There was keen interest amongst those present to learn more about Neighbourhood Plans particularly in the absence of a local Marple plan to guide the many challenges that face Marple centre.  

• Steve confirmed that in the absence of an LDF local plan, the Unitary Development Plan from the old planning system is used and also the national strategy planning document - the National Planning Policy Framework (NPPF). Neither are sensitive to Marple's current needs in planning terms.

• Deep concern was expressed amongst those present regarding the traffic scheme associated with the Chadwick Street car park. Steve confirmed that planning consent is in place and the traffic scheme could be implemented at any time.   

It was noted that the agenda for the next Area Committee meeting on Wednesday 6th August 2014 contains an item (item number 8) listed as "Neighbourhood Action Plans". We can confirm that this is not connected with Neighbourhood Plans as discussed at the meeting.

All photos by Arthur Procter            More photos here   

Speaker Meeting - Planning in Relation to Marple Development -Tuesday 29th July 2014

The society's next speaker meeting will take place on Tuesday 29th July from 4pm - 5pm in Marple Library. A Planning Officer from the Stockport MBC Planning Policy Department is the speaker who will talk about planning and how it relates to Marple.

This is a pertinent subject given the many challenges that face Marple: ASDA taking over the Co-op store, a potential Chadwick Street development with a new traffic scheme, a substantial housing development planned for the Hibbert Lane College site, the possibility of residential use in Goyt Mill and a planning application due for the Marple Wharf site.

But what do we have in our planning armoury to guide these multiple planning decisions? Do we have a 5 year housing allocation? What plans are in place to ensure a positive regeneration scheme for Marple centre and do we have an up to date local plan that is sensitive to Marple's current needs? 

Here is an opportunity to hear what the Planning Policy Officer has to say about these and other issues relating to Marple, and to have the opportunity to ask questions and voice your views. 

Do join us if you can at 3.40pm for light refreshments before the meeting starts at 4.00pm - 5.00pm on Tuesday 29th July in Marple Library - a lift is available.

This is an open meeting and all members of the public are welcome so bring your family, friends and neighbours - there is no charge for this meeting.

Newsletter July 2014 - Edition 6

The society's July 2014 Newsletter is now available.

See front page below with newsletter content listed

To view the full newsletter click here then select NEWSLETTER JULY 2014