Marple Neighbourhood Plan

Closed 26 Mar 2023

Opened 8 Feb 2023

Contact

0161 474 4395

neighbourhood.plans@stockport.gov.uk

Feedback updated 6 Jul 2023

We asked

We sought your views on the Regulation 16 version of the Marple Neighbourhood Plan as part of a six-week public consultation. A series of questions were asked on its content to see how far you agreed or disagreed with each section and whether you would do anything differently.

You said

There were a total of 19 responses to the online survey. Most were in agreement with the Plan with particular support for policies on the protection of indoor community spaces, open spaces, historic assets and spaces for coworking. The key themes arising from the survey in relation to specific chapters include the following:

  • Town Centre: A new food store could harm independent food retailers, the environment needs to be improved.
  • Getting Around: Emphasis on resolving transport connections and congestion is crucial. Policies to discourage car use not appropriate in an isolated town such as Marple and where many older people have specialist access needs.
  • Housing: Proposals to change the demographics are not likely to succeed. Development should be minimised to preserve character.
  • Natural Capital and Climate Change: New open spaces should be created as well as protecting existing assets. Support and criticism on climate change proposals.
  • Community Space: The aspiration for Marple Memorial Park is largely welcomed, although there is some preference for other sites and queries raised about the existing swimming pool site.
  • Heritage and Tourism: Agreement that Goyt Mill has potential for alternative uses.
  • Business and Employment: Importance of supporting independent small businesses.

Areas suggested for improvement include the need to for the Plan to consider children and young people, use the most up-to-date data, and to address the impact of the pandemic on commuting and working patterns.

We did

The consultation comments have been shared with Marple Neighbourhood Forum who will decide whether any minor modifications should be made. The Plan will be subject to an independent Examination later this year and if successful, will be brought forward for a Referendum.

Overview

Marple Neighbourhood Forum has prepared a Neighbourhood Plan for Marple and the council is now seeking your views on its content until 26 March 2023.

Marple Neighbourhood Plan sets out planning policies that, once adopted, will guide future proposals for development in the area until 2038. The Localism Act 2011 gives communities the ability to shape the future of their area and the types of development they would like to see. The forum was set up in 2016 and has engaged with residents, businesses and organisations in the area via newsletters, topic group discussions, meetings and surveys in order to understand what the key issues are. Views have also been sought more widely using a stall in the town centre and on the forum’s website.

Following a round of local consultation on a draft plan in Winter 2021/22, the forum has now officially submitted the Plan and supporting documents to the council to undergo a formal public consultation under Regulation 16 of the Act. After this the plan will be subject to an independent Examination and, if successful, will be brought forward for a Referendum.

The plan includes chapters with policies and aspirations on the following topics:

  • Town Centre – Enhancing character and appearance, support for a new food store.
  • Getting Around – Encouraging walking and cycling and development in areas with good public transport access.
  • Housing – Supporting housing that is affordable and serves a range of needs.
  • Natural Capital and Climate Change – Safeguarding open spaces and supporting the efficient and clean use of energy.
  • Community Space – Ensuring opportunities for enhancing wellbeing and staying active are protected such as sports facilities, indoor community facilities and canal towpaths.
  • Heritage and Tourism – Protecting the character and appearance of local heritage assets and facilities that encourage visits.
  • Business and Employment – Protecting existing employment land and encouraging the growth of new business.

The council is inviting your comments on the proposals, and specifically to what extent you agree or disagree with them.

Please view the Plan and supporting documents and provide your feedback via the link at the bottom of this page. The consultation runs until Sunday 26 March 2023 at 23:59pm.

The plan is also available to view on deposit at the following locations during staffed hours:

  • Civic Complex, Piccadilly, Stockport, SK1 3XE (Mon – Thu 8.30am to 5pm, Fri 8.30am to 4.30pm)
  • One Stockport Hub, 16-22 Merseyway, Stockport, SK1 1RA (Mon – Fri  9am – 5.30pm, Sat 9am – 4pm)
  • Marple Library, Memorial Park, Marple, Stockport, SK6 6BA*
  • High Lane Library, Buxton Road, High Lane, Stockport, SK6 8DX*

*The opening times for our libraries can be found at https://stockport.spydus.co.uk/cgi-bin/spydus.exe/MSGTRNGEN/WPAC/LOCATIONHOURS

Responses to the consultation may be made:

Stockport Council

Planning Policy

Stopford House

Piccadilly

Stockport

SK1 3XE

For more information on the consultation, please contact the Planning Policy team by phone on 0161 474 4395 or email at neighbourhood.plans@stockport.gov.uk.

The plan is also available to view as a PDF at the bottom of this page, alongside a range of appendices including the Basic Conditions Statement and Consultation Statement. The PDFs are not currently in an accessible format. If you use assistive technology (such as a screen reader) and need a version in a more accessible format, please email planning.policy@stockport.gov.uk.

Further information on the Marple Neighbourhood Plan including documents from previous stages is available on our Neighbourhood Planning pages (https://www.stockport.gov.uk/topic/neighbourhood-planning).

Areas

  • Marple North

Interests

  • Stockport Council Activities
  • Communities
  • Community Engagement
  • Environment