HISTORY AND UPDATE
Several years ago now an application was submitted to Stockport MBC for planning permission to demolish the former Print Works and erect 143 dwellings. The Print Works, had employed over 2000 people in its heyday however it had closed due the downturn in trade and stiff competition from abroad. Leaving a large empty factory on a contaminated site.
A public meeting was arranged by Mandy Hatch @ St Paul’s Church Hall, with the purpose of informing everyone of this development and to discuss how the community felt we should respond to this application. The meeting was attended by over 80 local residents.
The general feeling was, that people were not ‘against’ the redevelopment of this site, however the current proposal represented ‘gross over development’ and opened up the potential for further encroachment onto the surrounding land which was also in the ownership of this developer. After a lengthy debate it was decided by a substantial majority public vote that we were against the application and that a formal notice should be sent to Stockport MBC to record our opposition. This was duly executed. Those who did not agree could of course make their own representations to the council. No notices were received by the council in support of the development.
Following this initial meeting Mrs Hatch formed Strines Area Residents Association in order to provide a organised body which was able to represent the community. Several members of the community agreed to help and have worked extremely hard throughout. Subsequent public meetings took place at which this group was formally elected by majority public vote to represent the community in this matter.
The majority of residents understood from the start that we were up against the system and that it was unlikely that we could have any real impact on the views of the council or the developer.
Nevertheless it was decided that we should at least try, so the aim of this group became one of damage limitation.
Our goals were as follows.
1) To try to reduce the size of any development on the site
2) To try to reduce any negative impact on the community, village and surrounding infrastructure.
3) To try to protect the vulnerable land surrounding the proposed development site from future adverse development.
4) To try to preserve and enhance the habitat of nature and wildlife
5) To try to conserve areas of the site with local historical significance.
6) To try to achieve ‘gain’ for the community in the form of additional of enhanced public amenities.
7 To try to work with the council and developer to achieve a sustainable form of development which was in keeping with the surrounding area.
In the following years the committee worked extremely hard to achieve these goals and provided what was judged by the Local Council and the Developer as a ‘very effective opposition‘.
The eventual outcome was a planning permission which was supported by the local community with the following changes and additions.
1) The numbers of dwellings was reduced to 76 therefore achieving goal 1, To try to reduce the size of any development on the site
2) The overall reduction in the scale of the development and the redesigning of the layout helped to achieve goal 2. To try to reduce any negative impact on the community, village and surrounding infrastructure.
3) The Developer agreed to gift all the surplus land surrounding the site to the Recreation Ground Registered Charity. Therefore ensuring it could only ever be used for sports, recreation, nature conservation, or Agriculture ….. for the benefit of the inhabitants of strines. This achieved goal 3. To try to protect the vulnerable land surrounding the proposed development site from future adverse development.
4) Areas of green space and a riverside buffer which could be used as a public path……
The Reinstatement of Mr Anthony Waterhouse (Local Farmer) to the fields running adjacent to the former print works in order that the land can be grazed and correctly maintained and managed……… And the new protection afforded to the gifted land helped us achieve goal 4
To try to preserve and enhance the habitat of nature and wildlife
Work carried out in this category to date.
A) The millpond woodland has been managed to improve the habitat for nature and wildlife.
B) There have been bat, bird and owl boxes erected.
C) Improvements to the water quality and restocking of the ponds have further improved habitat.
D) Planting and thinning out the woodland to encourage British native species flora and fauna to thrive.
5) The gift of 40 thousand pounds to the Recreation Ground Charity for the purpose of enhancing and maintaining the facility and community land along with the additional gift of some artefacts including the factory clock and date stone helped us to protect areas of the former print works site that are of local historical significance. Achieving goal 5 To try to conserve areas of the site with local historical significance.
Work Carried out in this category to date
A) The Dove Cote has been professionally restored ensuring its survival for future generations
B) The millpond site has been considerably improved to ensure there is a constant water supply, that leaks have been blocked areas of dereliction have been repaired to ensure their survival.
6) The gift of the land and the money helped us to achieve goal 6 To try to achieve ‘gain’ for the community in the form of additional of enhanced public amenities.
Work Carried Out in this category, to Date
A)The Recreation Ground Pavilion has been renovated and modernised .
B) There have been numerous events and activities held at the recreation ground providing for sports and recreation. This building has been used by local schools, The University of the third age ( a social group for the elderly) and as a Sunday and holiday club for children.
C) The millponds have been renovated therefore providing additional recreation in the form of angling which is available to local people on this site for the first time in many years.
7) As we were instrumental in defeating a host of unacceptable development proposals and ultimately achieving a form of development which would be more easily absorbed into the existing community and would not lead to further urban sprawl we feel we achieved goal 7. To try to work with the council and developer to achieve a sustainable form of development which was in keeping with the surrounding area
This is all very much a work in progress however as you can see much has been achieved.
It is important to point out that this has been done by a small number of volunteers who have not received financial payments for their services to the community. All the community finances are managed by a treasurer and our fully audited financial reports are submitted to the charities commission every year and can be inspected by submitting a request to the treasurer.
We wanted to update you as we appreciate quite some time has gone by since all this started and most of us have been busy working on the project so haven’t had the time we would have liked to keep you updated. Also we have many new residents who we hope will attend the meeting and play an active role in the future development of the village and community.
Last updated: 17: 1 on 3-/-0/2010
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