Marple Wharf Development

[admin]

This article by Katherine Vine appears in the 6 September issue of the Stockport Times:

'Under Threat' site in National Study

AN historical site under threat of development has been selected for a new project sponsored by English Heritage.
   
Marple Wharf has been named as a case study in the 'Protect Your Place' research project being carried out by organisation Civic Voice into how communities are protecting local historical sites.

Sarah Spurrier, who is leading the project, said: "We chose Marple because there is a great partnership among the different groups such as Marple Civic Society, Marple Heritage Locks Society and Mellor Archaeological Trust. "It is a perfect example of people working together proacatively."

Sarah says there will probably be no more than seven or eight case studies nationwide, and Marple is likely to be the only one in the north west.

Three years ago British Waterways, now the Canal & River Trust, put forward plans for a housing development on the site. Local people and groups, including the civic society, objected and the plans were put on hold.
   
However, Jeremy Harrison, development manager at the Canal & River Trust, says the development of Marple Wharf is 'still an aspiration of the trust.

"Any development will include improved facilities for boaters, retention of the New Horizon charity boat and potentially community facilities too," he added.

"We're presently looking at options that will deliver a comprehensive and sensitive development solution as opposed to specific proposals for isolated parts of the site."

Gillian Postill, from Marple Civic Society, said: "The wharf is a very important heritage site forming part of Marple's industrial revolution history.

"It has three listed buildings and two listed roving canal bridges. "It would be sacrilege to break the site's 200-year commercial history by turning it into a housing development."

[bat man]

I hope something is done soon,it looks a bit sad all that land going to waste..why not have some facilities for the many boats that come into our area,a boat chandlers,shop,supplies etc.........

[admin]

Please find attached the joint statement regarding Marple Wharf following our last meeting with BW on 27 May 2010.
 
We welcome any comments and suggestions which we will feedback to BW.
 
Kind regards
 
Gillian Postill
Committee member and member of the Marple Wharf Steering Group

Joint Statement on the British Waterways
Site at Church Street, Marple

Marple Civic Society Steering Group and British Waterways met on 27th May 2010 as part of the continuing extended consultation exercise.

The objective of the meeting was to continue to share information and opinion on an open, honest and transparent basis and to develop further the principles that may guide or influence any potential future development of the site. The meeting was held at the Marple office.

Each of the parties provided feedback to the other in respect of recent meetings with stakeholder groups including Stockport MBC.

BW and H2O provided a verbal response to the planning and highway questions raised by MCS at the earlier meeting. Further information can be provided following more detailed architectural analysis of the scheme.

BW and H2O advised that the layout of the site was being reviewed following the recent liaison with stakeholder groups. Plans would be tabled once this review process had concluded.

MCS made a presentation on ‘Conservation and Heritage’ in the context of the site and the parties discussed issues arising there from.

BW re-affirmed its support for a community based use at the site as part of a commercially viable redevelopment. MCS have submitted a proposal for the Toll House which is being considered. Details of a potential water based recreational use for part of the site were provided to BW by MCS for consideration.

The next meeting of the Consultation Group will be held on a date to be agreed.

[jet]

Since taking over the Ring O' Bells marple, I have been following the present proposed developments to the BW land opposite the Pub.
I have not seen the plans, and probable not Qualified to give much advice.BUT,has a local businessman I can not see the logic of building dwellings on this land.
I have now purchased a 72ft traditional Party Narrowboat , which  is purpose built to carry 57 passengers .She will have a fully certificated Licence with the MCA and a Premises Licence for a bar
This venture ,I hope will bring in much needed tourist and employment to the local economy of Marple .
It would help my little venture if we had a Heritage centre for the tourist to visit

[admin]

Please find attached the Joint statement following our meeting with British Waterways on 22nd April 2010. Our next meeting with them is on 27 May 2010.
 
You will find a summary of the results of our presentation to members and friends in the joint statement and we welcome any comments and suggestions you may have before 27 May 2010 which we can feed back to BW.
 
Britsh Waterways recently consulted with IWA and other boating groups to discuss the requirements of boating facilities at Marple Wharf. James Dunlop, Chairman of Stockport Canal Boat Trust for Disabled People Ltd., was also recently consulted by BW to discuss the requirements of New Horizons Boat for the Disabled.
 
Kind regards
 
Gillian Postill
Committee member and member of the Marple Wharf Steering Group

Joint Statement on the British Waterways
Site at Church Street, Marple
Marple Civic Society Steering Group and British Waterways met on 22nd April 2010 as part of the continuing extended consultation exercise.

The objective of the meeting was to continue to share information and opinion on an open, honest and transparent basis and to develop further the principles that may guide or influence any potential future
development of the site. The meeting was held at the British Waterways’ Marple office.

MCS provided detailed feedback in respect of their presentation to MCS members and friends on 23rd February 2010 of the joint work undertaken by the Consultation Group. This feedback was collated in response to a questionnaire completed by 98 attendees. The questionnaire was prepared by MCS in advance of the presentation meeting.

The main concerns and views expressed by Civic Society members and friends in response to the MCS questionnaire were that:

• seven houses are too many and cover a disproportionate site area;.
• the arrangement of the boaters facilities will not work as laid out under the draft options;.
• there should be more open space and public access;.
• Heritage aspects and features should be retained, protected and enhanced.
• there was insufficient parking and drop off areas within the draft options;.
• a community/recreation/tourism use for the site was strongly supported.

As reflected in the presentation document BW wished to see the New Horizons Charity Boat and the boating facilities retained at the site as part of any scheme. Moreover direct consultation was shortly to take
place between BW and both the New Horizons trustees and representatives of boating groups in respect of the options under consideration.

MCS also made a presentation which analysed certain planning and highway regulations in respect of the draft options and questioned the compliance thereof. This raised a number of issues of concern. BW
confirmed that the concept design was not finalised and that the design process had deliberately focussed on responding to the constraints and opportunities of the site identified through the consultation exercise.
Technical issues and detailed design are normally addressed at a later stage.BW confirmed that the matters raised in both presentations would be considered.

BW advised that since the date of the MCS Library presentation and following meetings between BW and Stockport MBC, it is BW ‘s understanding that the Council are seeking for the waterway corridor in Marple to provide a greater contribution to the community/recreation/tourism offer within the town. Moreover both public bodies hope that the existing contribution of the site for these uses can be enhanced as part of any future redevelopment.

BW updated MCS of the meetings that were planned to take place as part of the wider consultation process.

MCS presented a business plan for the use of the Toll House for community based use which BW will consider as part of the draft options for the site.

The next meeting of the Consultation Group in respect of the subject site will now be held on Thursday 27th May 2010 at the Marple office.

[admin]

Please find attached the joint statement from the meeting with British Waterways on 19th January, which we received this week.
 
We presented an update on Marple Wharf recently, in the form of a poster display, to members and friends in Marple Library; over a hundred people attended and gave us their views. We are in the process of collating those views and comments which will help to guide us on the way forward.
 
A summary of the results will be presented to BW at our next meeting with them on 22nd April 2010. In the meantime, we have agreed not to publish the results until after we have met with them.
 
We are disappointed that BW postponed the meeting arranged for 3rd March and cannot now meet us for almost two months. However, if there are any developments in the meantime we will keep you informed.
 
Many thanks to those who attended the display.
 
Kind regards
 
Gillian Postill
Committee member and member of the Marple Wharf Steering Group

Joint Statement on the British Waterways Site at Church Street, Marple

Marple Civic Society Steering Group and British Waterways met on 19th January 2010 as part of the continuing extended consultation exercise.
The objective of the meeting was to continue to share information and opinion on an open, honest and transparent basis and to develop further the principles that may guide or influence any potential future development of the site. The meeting was held at the Marple office.
Matters addressed included:

• feedback upon the action points arising from the previous meeting;
• feedback from Marple Civic Society on comments provided to them by interested parties in respect of the site;
• a decision to defer any market testing commercial interest in the warehouse building until such time as planning consent was obtained;
• an update in respect of potential occupier interest;
• a review of the earlier meeting with Stockport Council;
• MCS to consider further the options for the community based uses at the eastern end of the site;
• BW provide a summary (in presentation form) of the joint consultation process undertaken by the parties for MCS to share with its members;
• BW provided very indicative details of the possible external treatment of any new build on the site.

The next steps will include for MCS sharing the summary presentation with its members and BW giving consideration to the nature of a wider consultation process. The next meeting of the Consultation Group in respect of the subject site will now be held on Thursday 22nd April at Marple office.

[admin]

As you know, Marple Civic Society has been in consultation with British Waterways since July 2009. We last met with them on 7th December and are due to meet with them again on 19th January 2010. The Regeneration Team at Stockport MBC has recently taken an interest in Marple Wharf and its potential and they will enter into discussions with British Waterways this month.

The latest joint statement is below but British Waterways has offered to provide a comprehensive review, including diagrams describing the work to date and the current situation. When this is available we will arrange a display in Marple Library for members and friends to view. Members of our steering group will be on hand to explain and answer questions. We expect the meeting will take place towards the end of January or beginning of February 2010.

Alan Postill
Chairman Marple Civic Society

Joint Statement on the British Waterways
Site at Church Street, Marple

Marple Civic Society Steering Group and British Waterways met on 7th December as part of the continuing extended consultation exercise.
The objective of the meeting was to continue to share information and opinion on an open, honest and transparent basis and to develop further the principles that may guide or influence any potential future development of the site. The meeting was held at the Grade 2* listed Navigation Warehouse at Wakefield, comprehensively refurbished for office use following a Development Agreement between British Waterways and CTP St.James Ltd.
Matters addressed included:

• feedback upon the action points arising from the previous meeting;
• feedback from Marple Civic Society on comments provided to them by interested parties in respect of the site;
• a decision to market test commercial interest in the warehouse building;
• discussion in respect of potential occupier interest;
• a review of the earlier meeting with Stockport Council;
• MCS to consider further the options for the community based uses at the eastern end of the site;
• access to the waters edge and future control of this space by BW;
• BW to provide a summary of the joint consultation process undertaken by the parties for MCS to share with its members;
• a debate in respect of the possible future use of the internal dock within the warehouse building.

The next steps will include considering the external treatment of new build uses on the site, financially appraising the emerging options for the site and circulating the mooring basin analysis drawing. The next meeting of the Consultation Group in respect of the subject site will be on Tuesday 19th January at Marple office.

[admin]

The Third Joint Statement from Marple Civic Society and British Waterways is now available:

Dear Friends,

Re: Marple Wharf - 3rd Joint statement

Please find attached the 3rd joint statement received from British Waterways today. We are due to meet with BW again on 26th October 2009.

If you have any comments please email them to me so that I can feedback your views to the extended consultation group between Marple Civic Society and British Waterways.

Kind regards

Gillian Postill
Committee member

Email wharf@marple-uk.com (to send to all Civic Society members on the Wharf Committee).

Joint Statement on the British Waterways Site at Church Street, Marple

Marple Civic Society Steering Group and British Waterways met on 11th September as part of the continuing extended consultation exercise.

The objective of the meeting was to continue to share information and opinion on an open, honest and transparent basis and to develop further the principles that may guide or influence any potential future development of the site.

Matters addressed included:

• feedback upon the action points arising from the previous meeting;
• feedback from Marple Civic Society on comments provided to them by interested parties in respect of the site;
• feedback and discussion in respect of market demand reports commissioned by the Group and agreement to commission further reports on additional market sectors;
• discussion in respect of potential specific occupier interest in parts of the site;
• a character analysis of the waterway corridors leading to the subject site;
• a register of the boating facilities in the vicinity of the site and the cruising distances to each;
• a diagrammatic representation of the constraints discussed at the previous meeting and their influence upon the layout of any potential future development of the site;
• a presentation of a site specific design proposal to address the concerns raised at the previous meeting in respect of the waterside boundary treatment for any potential future development of the site
• the current and future use of the waterspace;
• BW customer facilities; and
• alternative uses for parts of the site.

The next steps will include for the constituent potential uses discussed to date to be developed in to composite plan based options for the whole site for discussion at the next meeting of the group on 26th October.

[admin]

As part of Marple Civic Society's Membership Drive they have published some new information about Marple Wharf and have agreed that it can be added here:

Dear Friends,

You wrote to Marple Civic Society earlier this year supporting our work for Marple Wharf. The work continues and we await the 3rd joint statement from BW which I hope to send to you soon.  I have attached an update and plan of the current situation at Marple Wharf..

It is now time for our annual membership drive which takes place this month. We will be delivering 800 membership packs to local residents and as someone who is interested in Marple issues I am writing to ask if you would consider joining us.

Marple Civic Society is a Registered Charity and is non political. Our aim is to be an independent voice in our community on local matters and to strive to make Marple a better place to live and work. We are particularly interested in our heritage (there are 120 listed buildings and four conservation areas within our area), protection of our environment (we monitor planning applications each month and show a keen interest in services provided by the Local Authority), and improvement of Local Amenities e.g. transport services.  We strive to take up issues which are of importance to the whole community as well as those which have a much more limited impact. Increasing our membership increases our influence on all these issues.


Being a member need not make a demand on your time unless you choose to come to our open meetings held four times a year in Marple Library.  However, to ensure that our voice is heard we do need to increase our membership. We have good relationships with local Councillors and the Council itself but they do need to know that we speak with some authority on behalf of the Community.

I do hope you will join the Civic Society and to find out more, please contact me for a membership pack or alternatively, you can join through our website www.marplecivicsociety.org.uk .
 
Kind regards
 
Gillian Postill

Committee Member

Report on Marple Wharf Developments:

www.marple-uk.com/misc/News_flash_for_membership_drive_2009_v2.pdf

[admin]

British Waterways have postponed the next meeting with Marple Civic Society due on Thursday 27th August 2009 and it has been rearranged for Friday 11th September.

Therefore the next communication regarding Marple Wharf will be after 11th September 2009.

Don't forget to get in touch with MSC regarding use of the warehouse by local groups:

Marple Wharf – Community Facilities



You may already be aware that British Waterways are planning to develop their site alongside the canal in Marple between the bridge at Top Lock and the bridge near the Ring o’ Bells (the area historically known as “Marple Wharf”), as it is surplus to their operational requirements.

BW’s initial plan for residential use only on the site was not well received by the local community and, as a result, Marple Civic Society (MCS) is now in joint consultation with British Waterways to look at alternative and more suitable options for the site.

BW is currently studying revised proposals on the basis of the discussions held with MCS.  Meanwhile, MCS is itself studying various options for the site, as it would like to see a more community-based development, for recreational and community purposes in line with the feedback from the community.

MCS would therefore like to determine the level of interest of local organisations, clubs and enterprises in using any existing or newly built facilities on the site, whether on a minimal part-time basis (such as an hour or two per week) or with a more substantial involvement.

Although discussions with BW are only at a very preliminary stage MCS would like to hear if you might be interested in using such facilities on the site - obviously with absolutely no commitment on your part at this stage.

Please e-mail them or, if you would like to discuss this further, do not hesitate to phone.

Gillian Postill (tel. 0161 427 1379)
Graham Clarke (tel. 0161 285 9357)
David Sumner (tel. 0161 449 9084)

Email wharf@marple-uk.com (will be received by all three Civic Society members listed above).

Posted on behalf of Marple Civic Society.

[Mr Marple]

Having Sea scouts and the NH in one place is certainly ideal and the majority of Marple would probably agree.

I would not be surprised if the Church Lane end of the site might eventually be part of the same long term plan.

How nice it would be if Stockport MBC bought the whole site and perhaps entered into a joint venture with other agencies and have the whole area dedicated to leisurely youth activities sea scouts boating etc and of course the New Horizons.

Just a thought

[admin]

A new update has been distributed by Marple Civic Society today as follows:

Dear Members and Friends,

Re: Marple Wharf Development

Marple Civic Society and British Waterways joint working group for Marple Wharf met on 16th July 2009.

Please find attached the joint statement from the working group

Thank you for your support

Regards

Gillian Postill

Committee member and member of the joint working group

Joint Statement on the British Waterways Site at Church Street, Marple

Following their earlier agreement of the principles for an extended consultation in respect of the British Waterways’ site at Church Street, Marple, the Marple Civic Society Steering Group and British Waterways met on 16th July.

The objective of the meeting was to share information on an open, honest and transparent basis in order to establish the principles that may guide or influence any potential future development of the site.

This was facilitated through the participation of British Waterways’ Design Manager.

Matters discussed included the constraints influencing design and layout; the current and future built form; the current and future use of the waterspace including New Horizons; BW customer facilities; and potential future uses for the warehouse and the remainder of the site.

The next steps will be for these to be worked up in more detail as plan based options for the next meeting of the group on 27th August. In addition further information will be obtained as regards potential uses for the site. 

[admin]

The following email update has been distributed by Marple Civic Society to everyone who responded to their plea for letters and comments:

Dear Members and Friends

The Civic Society steering group met with BW/H2O Urban on Thursday 2nd July to discuss our proposal for a feasibility study to look at all options for the development of the site at Church Street (known to many as Marple Wharf).

I am pleased to tell you that agreement has been reached in principle to an extended consultation between Marple Civic Society and BW/H2O Urban.  Please see the attached joint statement for further details.  

I’ll keep you informed as the situation develops.  

We will have a stand at the Marple Locks Festival tomorrow 5th July (rain or shine!) so please call in to see us to discuss Marple Wharf and any other issues regarding Marple.

Thank you all for your continued support.

Regards

Alan Postill, Chairman

Joint Statement on the British Waterways site at Church Street, Marple

Having met with the Marple Civic Society Steering Group, British Waterways and its joint venture partnership H20 Urban LLP have agreed principles for an extended consultation in respect of the British Waterways’ site at Church Street, Marple.

British Waterways wishes to see a sustainable redevelopment of the Marple site which enhances this important canalside location and secure a new and viable use for the historic warehouse, consistent with its longer term aspirations as recently set out in 2020 A Vision for the Future of our Canals and Rivers.

British Waterways and H2O Urban LLP are committed to finding a solution which is in the long-term interests of the site, the area and the canal network.
 
In this respect:

• No final decision has been taken on the future development of the site;
• H2O Urban LLP recognises the concerns of the Marple Civic Society Steering Group and will consult further with them to explore alternative but commercially viable options in more detail within a workshop type environment;
• the parties will enter into these discussions in good faith to ensure honesty, openness and mutual respect;
• there will be no timescale for the extended consultation period.

[admin]

The following email update has been distributed by Marple Civic Society to everyone who responded to their plea for letters and comments:

Dear Friends,

I am writing to inform you about the latest developments regarding Marple Wharf.

The Society’s steering group met for the second time with BW/H20urban on Monday 8th June 2009. It was a difficult meeting with little common ground so our chairman put forward a proposal to them for a 6 month feasibility study involving all interested parties and stakeholders.  The study would examine all issues related to the site and consider viable options that would preserve and enhance it.

We received an acknowledgment letter today from Richard Davies, Development Manager from H20urban saying that they are looking at entering into a period of consultation with the Civic Society and relevant groups. They say they will respond to our proposal and confirm how they intend to proceed within the next ten days, that is, by the 22nd June.

Our next move will depend upon “how they intend to proceed".

Thank you to all the 74 respondents who have written to us with their support, there is no doubt that this site is very close to the hearts of Marple residents and local groups.

We shall continue to work on your behalf and keep you updated by email and on our website.

Kind regards

Alan Postill, Chairman Marple Civic Society.

[Dave]

Lets hope that some pressure can be placed on BWB to try to incorporate sensible suggestions. Just saying no all the time will in the long run, get Marple nowhere.

Quite so, Belly.     What's on the table from BW at the moment is not ideal, but let's be honest, this is a semi-derelict stretch of canalside which has been badly in need of restoration for a long time.   The danger is that nothing will happen at all, leaving the area to decay even further.   What we need from the Civic Society is a constructive and realistic counter-proposal which is capable of being funded.