LOOKS LIKE THE PITCH GOT DITCHED!

The developers withdrew their plans at the end of Thursdays planning meeting, following a fantastically organised site visit, and subsequent comments from the planning committee members!!!!!

More info to follow here soon, but for now please have a look at The South Manchester Reporters website here. Fantastic news! MASSIVE THANK YOU TO ALL INVOLVED AND SUPPORTING.

As a cautionary note, lets keep an eye out for any possible future moves by the developer… we’ll be watching! WELL DONE EVERYONE!!!

SITE VISIT AGREED FOR JAN 14th 10.15am 2010 – PLEASE ATTEND BOTH SITE VISIT & MEETING

At yesterday’s planning meeting the committee agreed to the requests that had been made for a site visit. This will take place on the morning of January 14th at 10.15am, with the committee sitting to make a decision in the afternoon. Once again, it’s VERY IMPORTANT that we have a large contingent at both the meeting AND the site visit. Yesterday’s meeting was very well attended – about 50 of us attended the short meeting where the site visit was agreed. There is a lot more space in the room and anyone can attend, so PLEASE PUT JANUARY 14th IN YOUR DIARY: morning for the site visit, afternoon 2pm for the meeting in the town hall (main council chamber).

DEC 17th PLANNING MEETING – PLEASE ATTEND.

Thursday 17th December is the date set for the planning committee to consider the application. Despite Dave Morris’s recommendation for approval, it is common for the committee to go against the recommendation of the planning officer, and deny planning permission. WE NEED TO DISPLAY OUR OPPOSITION AT THE PLANNING MEETINGS! The football club will certainly have a contingent there. This is a public meeting.

A site visit has been officially requested, and we have been assured will be granted. However, we still need to attend the meeting on Thursday in force. If you would like to attend, please meet at the main entrance to the Town Hall at 1.30pm on Thursday 17th Dec. Paul Ankers will then take us into the public gallery.

If a site visit is granted, this will take place on the morning of 14th Jan, with the planning meeting in the afternoon to make a final decision. We hope to see you at the Town Hall on Thursday!

Christmas Carols on Chorlton Green – Massive Success!

A huge thank you to everyone that came out on a cold December evening to once again demonstrate their opposition to this development. Over 200 people were present on an evening when Man utd were playing at home, and the X Factor final was on TV. Photo courtesy of MEN Media.

CHRISTMAS CAROLS ON CHORLTON GREEN. Dec 12th 6pm.

Santa says Yo Ho Ho. No No No! Save Chorlton Meadows!

DOWNLOAD A CAROL SHEET HERE…

Due to the success of our last event on the Meadows we have decided to hold a Christmas Carol service on Chorlton Green at 6pm on Saturday 12th December to maintain awareness of the imminent planning meetings on Dec 17th and Jan 14th. All are welcome for a spot of festive singing, with mince pies and mulled wine kindly supplied by the Horse and Jockey. And if its raining , we can go inside too. We’d really like you to come along. If you let us know in advance, that would be great, just so we can get a few more mince pies in the oven! Otherwise, just turn up and see what’s left! If possible, can you bring a lantern or candle and a means of lighting it?   The South Manchester Reporter will be covering the event again, so please show your support again & come and join us for an hour! And maybe a couple of drinks in the pub after…;o)

PLANNING DATE DEFERRED TO DEC 17th

We have received confirmation that the application will not be considered at the November 19th committee meeting. It will now be heard at the Dec 17th meeting. Our supporting politicians have already requested a site visit which is highly likely to defer the decision by another month. The site visit will happen on the morning of 14th January, followed by a decision in the afternoon.

ITV Granada News Report 8th November. DITCH THE PITCH! DON’T YIELD THE FIELD!

Important links to help you with your objection.

Plans have now been submitted and your objection still counts up to the date of the actual planning meeting (17th December). The following are important links to information contained in this blog that will help you to a) understand what is happening, and b) formulate your objections.

>> Writing an effective objection letter

>> What is a  valid objection to a planning application?

>> Manchester Planning Policy relating to Barlow Moor and Chorlton

>> Planning application notice

>> Development Plans

>> How to access the Manchester City Council Planning Website

>> Your rights in planning applications

>> Proforma objection letter

>> Download a poster

NEW PLANS HAVE BEEN SUBMITTED.

NEW PLANS HAVE BEEN SUBMITTED.

Following a meeting on Saturday between the Club and local Politicians revised plans have been submitted to the City Council and are available to view online via the planning portal. Once again, residents have NOT been consulted – the public were not invited to the meeting and the resulting plans only contain minor adjustments to appease the planners. None of the changes are in the interest of residents, or users of the area.

FUNDAMENTAL DIFFERENCES ARE AS FOLLOWS:

The all weather pitch has been moved out of the area designted as of ‘Special Biological importance’.

The number of pitches has been reduced from 8 to 7.

A larger section of the pathway will be maintained before it is re-routed behind the clubhouse.

The second two of these are merely a result of the first. Essentially the new plans are WORSE for local residents. The all weather pitch is now closer to Chorltonville, bringing light and noise pollution with it. It is also more exposed to Redland Crescent. We have also had notice that the all weather pitch will be in use until 10pm EVERY WEEK NIGHT, and until 5pm at the weekends.

SO WHAT HAPPENS NOW? We will now enter into another 14 day period of consultation. The council will be writing to residents, and anybody who has written a letter of objection to inform them of the changes.

WHAT CAN WE DO ? During these 14 days, we need to write to Dave Morris at the planning department again. All objections previously sent will stand. HOWEVER IT IS VITAL THAT WE WRITE AGAIN! The issues remain the same – the development will change the character of the area irreparably, bringing with it noise and light pollution until 10 pm every night. Use of the all weather pitch seven days a week will have a major impact in the area.

We see this revision of the plans as a ploy by the developers to appease the planners. So we have to let them know that these changes do nothing to make the development more acceptable. Please write to Dave Morris at the following address: Dave Morris (Case Officer), Manchester City Council Planning, PO Box 463, Town Hall, Manchester M60 3NY

or email it to: d.morris@manchester.gov.uk

QUOTE PLANNING REFERENCE: 091081

THE ALL WEATHER PITCH

This is clearly a commercial development. The all weather pitch will be rented out to other clubs, and local schools to generate an income for the developers and the club. Therefore should this element of the plan NOT receive permission, the whole scheme may not be financially viable.

This pitch is also the achilles heel of the proposals AND the most controversial element. The site report states that the preferred method of construction for the all weather pitch involves ‘removal of the loose and very loose landfill materials’. It is our understanding (as stated by Rob Turley in front of a group of residents) that hardcore will then be brought in to level the area.

The site report goes on to say: ‘Solmek recommend that the client adopt mini piled foundations for any floodlighting.’ This will involve further disturbance and removal of potentially toxic waste. This waste is, as stated by the site report (section 10.2), is potentially harmful via ‘inhalation of volatised compounds (dust)’. Site workers are advised to wear protective clothing (section 7.24), and ‘access to the public should be limited’. The site report does not include residents as potential receptors of these volatised compounds. It lists receptors as (among others), construction workers, and ‘Users of surrounding sites – predominantly open land’. Last time I looked, the site was flanked on two sides by houses with gardens backing directly onto the area. If construction workers are considered to be at risk, we too as residents are also at risk. However we are not acknowledged as such by the site report. The ‘removal of loose and very loose landfill materials’  to construct the all weather pitch will place users, and residents at risk.

Please focus your letter on these issues, especially on the all weather pitch.

THE REVISED PLANS: Click here to download a revised plan. Click here to visit the planning portal, and see all the new documents.

It is VERY IMPORTANT that we all take the time to write to Dave Morris again regarding this revision of plans. Your new letter can reiterate all the objections of your first letter, and point out that these new revisions are WORSE for residents and users of the meadows alike. Details where to write to:

Dave Morris (Case Officer), Manchester City Council Planning, PO Box 463, Town Hall, Manchester M60 3NY

or email it to: d.morris@manchester.gov.uk

QUOTE PLANNING REFERENCE: 091081

DETAILS OF NEW PLANS…

 

New plans were presented to Local Politicians at a meeting on Saturday 17th October. These plans have been submitted to the City Council and are available to view online via the planning portal. Once again, residents have NOT been consulted – the public were not invited to the meeting and the resulting plans only contain minor adjustments seemingly to appease the planning committee. None of the changes are in the interest of residents, or users of the area.

FUNDAMENTAL DIFFERENCES ARE AS FOLLOWS:

• The all weather pitch has been moved out of the area designted as of ‘Special Biological importance’.
• The number of pitches has been reduced from 8 to 7.
• A larger section of the pathway will be maintained before it is re-routed behind the clubhouse.

The second two of these are merely a result of the first. Essentially the new plans are WORSE for local residents. The all weather pitch is now closer to Chorltonville, bringing light and noise pollution with it. It is also more exposed to Redland Crescent. We have also had notice that the all weather pitch will be in use until 10pm EVERY WEEK NIGHT, and until 9pm on Saturday, and 8pm on Sunday. This is totally unacceptable.

We have had full assurances from all attendees of the meeting that they are still opposing the plans. Both Lib Dem and Labour representatives regularly attend our residents meetings.

SO WHAT HAPPENS NOW? We will now enter into another 14 day period of consultation. The council will be writing to residents, and anybody who has written a letter of objection to inform them of the changes. You should receive your letter in the coming days (today being 21st October). The developers are keen to see a decision on November 19th (UPDATE 11th Nov – this has now been deferred to December 17th), in order to apply for funding from the Football Foundation in January.

WHAT CAN WE DO? During these 14 days, we need to write to Dave Morris at the planning department again. The relevant parts of all objections already received by Dave Morris will still stand. HOWEVER IT IS VITAL THAT WE WRITE AGAIN! The issues remain the same – the development will change the character of the area irreparably, bringing with it noise and light pollution until 10 pm every night. Use of the all weather pitch seven days a week will have a major impact in the area, and it is now closer to houses.

We see this revision of the plans as a ploy by the developers to appease the planning department. So we must let them know that these changes do nothing to make the development more acceptable to us, the community this development is so arrogantly aimed at. Please write to Dave Morris at the following address: Dave Morris (Case Officer), Manchester City Council Planning, PO Box 463, Town Hall, Manchester M60 3NY or email it to: d.morris@manchester.gov.uk

Quote planning ref: 091081

THE ALL WEATHER PITCH

This is clearly a commercial development. The all weather pitch will be rented out to other clubs, and local schools to generate an income for the developers and the club. Therefore should this element of the plan NOT receive planning permission, the whole scheme may not be financially viable.

This pitch is also the achilles heel of the proposals AND the most controversial element. The site report states that the preferred method of construction for the all weather pitch involves ‘removal of the loose and very loose landfill materials’. It is our understanding (as stated by Rob Turley in front of a group of residents) that hardcore will then be brought in to level the area.

The site report goes on to say: ‘Solmek recommend that the client adopt mini piled foundations for any floodlighting.’ This will involve further disturbance and removal of potentially toxic waste. This waste is, as stated by the site report (section 10.2), a potential contaminant via ‘inhalation of volatised compounds (dust)’. Site workers are advised to wear protective clothing (section 7.24), and ‘access to the public should be limited’. The site report does not include residents as potential receptors of these volatised compounds. In section 7.16 it lists receptors as (among others), construction workers, and ‘Users of surrounding sites – predominantly open land’. Last time I looked, the site was flanked on two sides by houses with gardens backing directly onto the area! If construction workers are considered to be at risk, we too as residents and users of the area are also at risk. However we are not acknowledged as such by the site report. The ‘removal of loose and very loose landfill materials’  to construct the all weather pitch will place users, and residents at risk. There have been a number of mentions of asbestos, including one here…

Please focus your letter on these issues, especially on the all weather pitch.

THE REVISED PLANS: Click here to download a revised plan. Click here to visit the planning portal, and see all the new documents. Planning ref: 091081

PROTEST PICNIC SUNDAY 8th NOV 2pm.

What a Brilliant Turn Out! Thank you to the 400 or so people who came to the meadows today to demonstrate how important this green space is to the people of South Manchester. THIS IS THE COMMUNITY this development is so arrogantly aimed at. And we turned out in force today to say a big NO!

We made the ITV news, and BBC Radio Manchester. We’ll be posting more here in the coming days. So come back to view more pictures and video. THANK YOU!!! SAVE THE MEADOWS!

Confirmation – Site visit this Thursday – ON.

The site visit at the meadows and the planning meeting are still going ahead, even though we have asked for a postponement due to the weather conditions

PLEASE SHOW YOUR SUPPORT & JOIN US AT EITHER MEETING( OR BOTH).. PLEASE WRAP UP WELL
TIMES TO BE THERE…
CHORLTON MEADOWS FOR 10AM ( committtee arriving approx 10.15)
PLANNING MEETING, MAIN COUNCIL CHAMBERS, TOWN HALL, M/CR BE THERE BEFORE 2PM( they start at 2PM , you wont get in after then)

Please dont let the bad weather put you off
Your meadows needs you

see you there !
——————–

Letter of Support From Griff Rhys Jones

Thank you for writing to me. It does sound rather awful. I have to admit I get so many letters from so many people asking me to help with campaigns, that I can’t really do much for every single one of them. But I can write this letter of support and say that though you are a little town you can have a big voice. Private developers can be very difficult because they don’t care what people say about them. But if it helps you can say that Griff Rhys Jones begs them to listen to what local people are saying. Local people do know and do care. You have strong ideas and I hope you are successful.

With all best wishes,

Griff.

Letter of Support from Mike Harding

What can I say other than that I oppose this development completely. Manchester has the lowest percentage of parkland for a major European city that I can think of. Even New York, where land is at a premium, has more. Piccadilly Gardens lost a huge chunk of its open land to private developers and now MCC want to turn Chorlton Meadows into a recreational area for one sector of the community – I am amazed that a council which purports to be serving the whole of Manchester is even considering this!

Cheers

Mike Harding

BBC Radio 2