Agenda Item no.: 12
Date: 19 February 2003

MARPLE AREA COMMITTEE

MARPLE MEMORIAL PARK CONSULTATION

Report of the Director of Environment and Economic Development

1    PURPOSE OF THE REPORT

1.1 To feedback to Committee the responses from the Marple Memorial Park consultation and seek Members further comment.

2    INTRODUCTION

2.1 At the last meeting Members were informed of the proposal to improve the entrance to the Memorial Park. It was felt that as it is an important and well-used area, that the views of the people of Marple should be sought on these draft proposals. Members were also informed about the plans to consult the public on the scheme via various means.

2.2 An exhibition was held at Marple library from Monday 27th January until Tuesday 4th February 2003. The exhibition was made up of plans, photographs and descriptions of the current state of the entrance and also proposals to improve the area. A questionnaire was put together (see appendix 1) along with a retums box where completed forms could be posted. There was also an information board giving contact details for further information. A press release, advertising the exhibition was sent out a couple of days before, in order to generate interest.

2.3 The consultation boards were also available to view on the District Centres Website with contact details for people to give their comments. In addition to this, the Marple District Centre Partnership were given the opportunity to view the plans at their meeting on 30 January 2003. Here, a scaled down version of the library exhibition was put on display and members of the Partnership were able to comment using the same questionnaires. The initial verbal feedback from the Marple Partnership meeting was extremely positive.

3 CONSULTATION FEEDBACK

3.1 To date, there have been 48 questionnaires filled out. When asked for their views of the draft proposals, 43 people said they agreed with them. This represents an 89 positive response with only 10 of respondents either not commenting or disapproving the plans. Comments such as "excellent" and "I wholeheartedly support them" were particularly encouraging.

3.2 People took the opportunity to make some interesting recommendations and there were some general themes noted throughout. For example, concerns over seating and lighting and security featured greatly. A few respondents mentioned the need to ensure adequate replanting.

3.3 The problem of the vacant Hanburys store was also highlighted by a number of respondents. People noted that you have to "walk past grotty Hanburys" to get into the park at the Stockport Road entrance.

3.4 Another interesting suggestion was the idea to use the park to display more historical / heritage artifacts. It was suggested by several people that the Oldknow Memorial Plaque (see appendix 2) that is currently hidden away in the old All Saints Church could be incorporated into the plans. An idea for an outdoor heritage trail was also put forward including other memorials to influential people and an information board on the history of the area.

4 CONCLUSIONS

4.1 The large majority of respondents were in favour of the scheme as it stands, but many people put forward suggestions for enhancing both the entrance scheme and further later phases to improve the park itself.

5 RECOMMENDATIONS

It is requested that Members:

i) Note and comment on the report, in particular the suggestions made by the respondents.

ii) Request officers to consider the suggested amendments as appropriate.

iii) Recommend that the Executive Member for infrastructure approve the scheme.

For any further enquiries please contact Hannah Bowker District Centres Regeneration on 474 4580

BACKGROUND PAPERS

Report to Marple Area Committee 'Marple Memorial Park' - 22 January 2003

Appendix 1 A sample of the questionnaire.

Appendix 2 A photograph of the Samuel Oldknow Memorial Plaque.