Cheadle Hulme Partnership
| Published: 4th June 2008 17:04 |
Cheadle Hulme Partnership
Minutes of Meeting
Date: Wednesday 14th May 2008
Venue: New Hope Community Church
Present
Mike Ibbotson, Brian Nash, Paul Hartley, Steve Fishwick, Cllr Suzanne Wyatt, Cllr John Pantall, Cllr Paul Porgess,
Trevor Mobbs, Myra Woodcock, Richard Watson, Chris Monkhouse, Peter Waterhouse, Mac McLeod, Anna Triantis (AboutMyArea/SK8), John French, G Butterworth, Anne Poole, Ken Anstis, Janet Bevington, Mike Kitson, Joyce Buxton, Giles Claxton, George Codnor, Bunny Simms, Giles Taylor, A and C Chapman, Sidney Jones, R. Wilson, Barbara Goodwin, Chris Whiles
Apologies
Cllr June Somekh, Cllr Stuart Bodsworth,
Ingrid Shaw, John Basnett, Diana Sheldon, June Walsh, Gill Newton
1.0 Welcome and Introductions
MI made the appropriate welcomes.
2.0 Apologies
BN recorded the apologies received.
3.0 Minutes of Last Meeting (12th March 2008) and matters arising.
MI asked if the minutes of the last meeting were a true and correct record.
The minutes were then accepted as a true record.
3.1 Community Bus Project
Myra Woodcock reported that the Community Bus would be in operation in Cheadle Hulme for a trial period of 5 Fridays commencing on the 13th June until 11th July. The bus was originally to be located on the precinct car park, however as this car park is well used in the evening there would be a safety issue with vehicles using the car park. It is now proposed that the bus should be located in Oak Meadow Park, and permission is being sought from the Council. The bus is available 7:30pm to 9:00pm and has open access for children in years 5 to 11. Funding has been provided by the Area Committee and West Area Neighbourhood Police Tasking fund.
The bus run by Andy Settle with 5 volunteers on duty at one time, however a pool of 15 volunteers is required to adequately cover the scheme. Training for volunteers is provided and CRB checks will be required.
Anyone interested in helping should contact the Methodist Church, 0161 485 1605.
4.0 Conservation Issues
MI introduced Paul Hartley, Conservation and Heritage team manager, who explained the role of the Conservation Officer as:
i). Advising property owners in conservation areas, or owners of Listed Buildings,
ii). negotiating with developer/architects through Development Control planning process,
ii). specific regeneration project work, mainly in the historic town centre.
Examples of the type of projects are:
i). Staircase House, a flagship scheme that has been recognised with many awards and ii). Public realm projects to reinstate traditional high quality materials.
Cheadle Hulme District Centre is adjacent to the Hulme Hall Road/Swann Lane/Hilltop Avenue Conservation area that was designated in 1985 and is one of the 37 conservation areas in the Borough. The Council use planning powers to preserve the character and appearance of the areas and to recognise the varied special qualities of the conservation areas. This conservation area is predominantly a residential area.
In the area there are 7 buildings on the statutory list of buildings of special architectural or historic interest that are recognised against national criteria - Hulme Hall, Millington Hall, 1 Higham Street, Ladybridge Farm, Cheadle Hulme School, Seven arches Railway viaduct, War Memorial.
In addition to the statutory listed buildings there are other buildings which, whilst not meeting the national criteria for listing, are of considerable local historic, architectural or other special character interest - Former Police Station, Bridgeway House.
Archaeology comes within the remit of the council and the Sites and Monuments Record (SMR) is a record of known sites of archaeological significance in Stockport (and all Greater Manchester). There are currently over 3000 entries on the record within Stockport and inclusion of a site gives it formal recognition in the planning system. PH suggested that the district centre was on the line of the Roman road running from Cheadle through to Buxton based on finds in the area - including roman coins found at Millington Hall.
In 2004 the Council approved a Conservation Strategy and a 3-year Action Plan which has formed the basis of the conservation work across the Borough. Four key themes underpin the Conservation and Heritage Strategy:
Develop Understanding, the importance of heritage.
Positive Action, regeneration projects, problem buildings grant funding
Developing Partnerships, links with local groups, currently setting up a borough forum
Promoting Best Practice, in Cheadle Hulme there are a number of exemplar schemes including Millington Hall, Police Station
33 Swann Lane was highlighted as a problem building within the conservation area that was a cause for concern as the property is empty and is becoming very dilapidated due to vandalism. The site has been the subject of 2 planning applications for demolition and redevelopment however both have been refused. The Council is in constant contact with the owners to bring about an acceptable development and to ensure the building is secure from vandalism.
MI thanked PH for explaining the work of the Conservation and Heritage team.
5.0 Cheadle Hulme Action Plan Review
MI highlighted the priority areas to be the focus of attention:
5.1 Station Road,
To investigate the provision of additional landscaping including tree planting along the pavement areas. The careful choice of trees is paramount to protect underground services.
5.2 Warren Road.
To investigate the provision of additional landscaping including tree planting.
To improve pedestrian areas and street furniture.
5.3 Mellor Road
To support the library improvement plans including redecorated and re-carpeted mid September. In addition the outside is to be tidied to give easier access with bike racks and a bench provided.
Improvements to the footpath links particularly lighting and to encourage improvements to boundary fences.
Signage required regarding Prohibition of Drinking Alcohol on Street.
5.4 Smithy Green
BN reported that a questionnaire has been distributed to businesses and to date the response rate as low, however more were expected. An analysis of the replies received is attached.
6.0 Updates
6.1 Climate Change
RW reported that a recent ‘Transition Initiative' conference attracted 193 attendees and out of these 14 small groups were formed. The action is to continue to raise awareness, and for individuals to make pledges of personal actions and ultimately government needs to be prepared to make unpopular decisions in order to make an impact on climate change.
6.2 Car Parking
Cllr John Pantall explained the current opposition.
Councillors of Bramhall and Cheadle Area Committees agreed to the revised proposals following the responses received from residents at the special meeting on the 18th March. On Wednesday 30th April the Council advertised the draft orders in the Stockport Express. Any objections have to be made by 21st May,
The orders will be confirmed with modification if appropriate.
The Council consultation on permit parking on Queens Road, in the original area consulted, concluded Friday, May 2nd. In addition the remainder of the area on Queens Rd. up to Buckingham Rd., most of Victoria Ave, Kingsley and Queens Drive were asked for their views in view of the knock on effect.
There are small stretches in Bellfield and Lindsay Avenues where the procedures for residents parking are being followed.
The Council will consider any further objections before implementation of the proposals.
The details of the proposals are shown on the attached plans, however it should be noted that the plans only show NEW proposals and that existing traffic regulations are not shown.
The situation in Cheadle Hulme is that short term parking is not perceived as a problem, but the measures proposed can only deal with safety and obstruction issues caused by long term parking in adjacent residential streets and that there needs to be further work undertaken with the employers in Cheadle Hulme to reduce the demand for all day parking.
Action: BN to write to businesses to explain the situation and explore alternative solutions.
6.3 Police
No Police presence, but the recent incident at premises near Ladybridge Sports Club and the prompt Police response/action was noted.
6.4 District Centre Steward
Steve Fishwick, the District Centre Steward again reported that there were no major problems to record. The Partnership again thanked Steve for doing an excellent job and it was suggested that he should receive recognition of this.
Action: BN to inform Management of the good work being done.
6.5 Station
BN stated that Gary Stanton was unable to attend however there was no report of any progress except that the works to the station were understood to have been put back until august , however no official notice has been given on public consultation or start of the work.
ACTION: BN to continue to request obtain updates from GS and Network rail
6.6 Oak Meadow
The next event planned is a ‘Party in the Park' on Sunday 8th June between 11:00am and 4:00pm. Attractions will include cheerleaders, musical performers, games, displays and refreshments. Promotional flyer attached.
6.7 Waitrose
MI noted the absence of Waitrose representatives and was disappointed that they no longer attended on a regular basis, although BN did have regular contact with staff regarding specific issues.
6.8 Planning Applications
The planning application for change of Use of the Ground floor of Metropolitan House for a variety of uses has been refused by the Council requesting more specific information regarding the use of the ground floor.
7.0 AOB
Cllr Pantall informed the Partnership that there was a freephone link to Council Services within the Information and Advice centre.
Date, Time and Venue of Next Meeting
Grateful thanks to Trevor for hosting the meeting, and providing the refreshments.
Next meetings:
New Hope Community Church, 6.30 - 8.00 p.m
• Wednesday 2nd July
• Wednesday 10th September
• Wednesday 12th November
Brian Nash
District and Neighbourhood Regeneration
Stockport Metropolitan Borough Council
Stopford House
Piccadilly
Stockport SK1 3XE
0161 474 4519
brian.nash@stockport.gov.uk
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