Latest News (as published on the MiA web site)

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12 September 2011 - MIA RALLY SUCCESS!
THE MIA RALLY on Saturday afternoon was a great success with hundreds attending and listening to speeches from MIA's David Hoyle and Andrew Stunell MP. Local LibDem Councillor Shan Alexander also spoke as did David Rowbotham for the local Labour Party and Syd Lloyd, leader of the Conservatives on Stockport MBC. All gave their backing to Marple in Action's campaign to stop a supermarket development on Hibbert Lane. The Rally was covered by the BBC and made their website front page http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-england-manchester-14866828

MARPLE IN ACTION makes the news!
MIA representatives were interviewed live on BBC Radio Manchester outside broadcast at Hibbert Lane on Friday morning and voiced their objections to the College's proposal to allow a supermarket development on Hibbert Lane. Christina Cassidy and Andrew Stunell were later interviewed and these clips can be heard at:

http://www.bbc.co.uk/iplayer/console/p00k0ddy

Various pieces of coverage during the show concerning Marple's plight, particularly:
0:57:35 overview of issue
1:37:00 thru 1:42:15 live outside the college
2:16:40 thru 2:25:30 with CAMSFC principal Christina Cassidy + MP Andrew Stunell

SMBC will reject a supermarket application!
A DELEGATION FROM MARPLE in ACTION went to the Stockport Town Hall on Thursday 8 September to meet the Leader of Stockport Council, Dave Goddard, to discuss the supermarket plans in Marple. He was very supportive and said that Stockport Council was fundamentally opposed to this development, would reject any planning application for a supermarket on this site and would fight any appeal to its conclusion.

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RALLY IN THE PARK 2pm SATURDAY 10 SEPTEMBER
GET THE FACTS ABOUT THE PROPOSED SUPERMARKET ON HIBBERT LANE
 at a QUESTION AND ANSWER SESSION
in MARPLE MEMORIAL PARK.
Marple in Action have invited:
Andrew Stunell MP
 Local Councillors
Cheadle and Marple 6th Form College Governors
Stockport MBC Planners.
Come along, have your own questions answered and get the facts.

3 September 2011 - MIA NEWSLETTER PUBLISHED
Newsletter for people without Internet access
Marple in Action are conscious that many Marple people may not have Internet access and be able to keep up with developments on our web site. Especially for them we've produced a printed newsletter to bring them the same information. Print one out and give it to your neighbours if they don't know what is going on: www.marple-uk.com/marple-in-action/MiA-newsletter.pdf

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1 September 2011 - CALLING LOCAL TECHNICAL EXPERTS!

Marple in Action has a number of technical and professional people working behind the scenes to oppose CAMSFC plans to sell the Hibbert lane campus to a supermarket chain. There is much to do, and we can use all the help we can get, so if you have related skills, expertise or knowledge and would like to help please get in touch using our hotline number 07790 419494 or email your contact details to technical(at)marple-in-action.org.uk

IS THIS WHAT WE CAN LOOK FORWARD TO?

Asda truck delivers unwanted jam after getting stuck on a Hazel Grove street!

Residents near a busy supermarket say their lives have become a misery with delivery lorries becoming stuck in their narrow street. Work to build an access road to the Asda store on the A6 in Stockport has overrun by a year.

It has meant wagons becoming trapped trying to get to the shop by going down Mount Pleasant in Hazel Grove.

One wagon blocked the street for more than an hour yesterday after becoming stuck. The truck, believed to be returning from the supermarket, couldn’t move until parked cars were driven off.

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31 August 2011 - PEOPLE OF ALL AGES ARE SAYING THE SAME THINGS!

It's been said that it's only old people who don't want a supermarket on Hibbert Lane but that's simply not true. Many young people are supporting Marple in Action and here's a comment from just one of them:

Hannah Jenkins wrote: "As a younger person I'd like to disagree that it's just the older people who are against it. Plus I'm sure there are plenty of young-ish people who would benefit from affordable housing being built on that site, far more than anyone would benefit from a TESCO/ASDA. And what is wrong of being scared of change? Marple is one of few places around here that still have a nice village/small town atmosphere. There is a TESCO, ASDA, Sainsburys (all in Stockport) and a Morrisons (Bredbury) nearby already if people want cheap supermarkets (easy to get to on the bus, not just by car). We don't need any more. I don't think people are against having a small, local supermarket in the centre (yes, I agree that the Co-Op is rubbish). But it's having a big supermarket (that would bring in out of town traffic) and having it in a residential area that people are most opposed to."

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30 August 2011 - MARPLE COMMUNITY COUNCIL STATEMENT

MARPLE COMMUNITY COUNCIL'S chairman Adrian Taylor says that their biggest concern is the likely traffic generation and road building in Marple that a supermarket would bring. Marple cannot sustain a supermarket on its own and no doubt a future supermarket provider will require a large catchment area to sustain its business. He also said "housing is needed in Marple to enable young people to stay in their town, so MCC expects that only a housing development could ever be approved on the site, as the core strategy document states".

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28 August 2011 - LOWER PRICES IN MARPLE?

LOWER PRICES IN MARPLE - a local resident came to the MIA Saturday stand in Market Street to highlight the plight of low income families in Marple and the relatively high food prices in the Coop and other local shops. He felt that a supermarket in Marple would provide competition that would bring prices down and he is absolutely right. Marple in Action is not against another supermarket opening in Marple but it should be in the town centre "retail zone" not in a residential area. The Hibbert Lane site should be used for education, community facilities or housing particularly of the affordable type.

SATURDAY SUCCESS - an amazing 850 people signed the petition on the stand in Market Street on Saturday along with many offers of support and encouragement. "NO" Posters were given out, questions answered, and lots of information provided, We will be there again next Saturday when MIA tee shirts will be on sale at £5 each to help campaign funds.

BUXTON LANE WORK STARTS - despite the objections of Marple residents and clear advice by the planners that the Hibbert Lane site will be refused planning permission for a supermarket, the College's surveyors are now at work on the Buxton Lane site according to local residents. The governors appear oblivious to local concerns but then again not one of them lives in Marple!

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27 August 2011 - LABOUR SUPPORT MARPLE IN ACTION

Marple Labour Party last night voted unanimously to oppose the proposed Hibbert Lane supermarket development.

"Individual members have already pledged support to Marple-in-Action and last night all present were extremely concerned about the impact of this massive and unwanted proposed development on our local town centre," said David Rowbottom. "We agree with Marple-in-Action that our community is under threat, and call upon the Corporation of Cheadle & Marple Sixth Form College and Stockport MBC to actively and urgently explore alternative ways in which the College's accommodation needs could be met. Our local college should be something we can all take pride in and we recognise the need for investment to secure its future - but this must not be at the expense of our local shops, businesses and community."

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25 August 2011 - MARPLE IN ACTION AT THE MARPLE AREA COMMITTEE

Two representatives from Marple in Action, acting Chair David Hoyle assisted by Diane Jackson spoke to Marple Councillors and the assembled community of Marple at Wednesday's Area Committee Meeting. Marple in Action had been invited by Cllr Ingham to present its aims and objectives to the Councillors during the Open Forum session. [click the link below to see a copy of the presentation notes].

http://www.marple-in-action.org.uk/MIA-area-committee-presentation.pdf

David Hoyle made it quite clear that the community of Marple must be represented at all meetings that concern the Hibbert Lane site and must be informed and consulted throughout. There must be no more “behind closed doors” discussions.

At the conclusion of the presentation Cllr Sue Ingham, Chair of the Area Committee said an Extraordinary Meeting of the Area Committee would be arranged possibly in October at Stockport Town Hall. As the College intend to sign contracts in October, members of the community felt this was too late and impressed on the Councillors that the meeting needed to be as held soon as possible and in Marple. A suggestion was made that Marple Hall School could be a suitable venue.

Marple in Action considers this to be a major breakthrough, with recognition of the group and the involvement of community opinion in the process - but we need to keep the pressure on as there are a few short weeks to 'D-day' [decision day]. The college must be persuaded to look at other options and consider the Marple community in their plans.

We shall be pressing for an early date for the Extraordinary Meeting, so please watch this space - we need a huge turnout to impress on everyone that the community of Marple do not want this supermarket development.

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23 August 2011 - Presentation at Marple Area Committee

MARPLE AREA COMMITTEE'S meeting tomorrow at 6pm has been moved again to the Senior Citizen's Hall in the hope of accommodating all the members of the public who will want to attend.

Marple in Action have been invited to do a presentation to the counsellors at that meeting so that we will be formally included in all future consultations over the proposed supermarket in Hibbert Lane. Counsellors have been warned however that this involvement will in no way compromise our independence or silence our protest.

POLICE NOTICE - Marple in Action would like to thank Sgt Chris Riggs and his team for policing Saturday's March in such a friendly and efficient manner. We may have had some unhappy motorists because of the huge crowd but the day went off without incident - thanks! Even Jonathan Brown in the Town Hall's Traffic Management Dept gets a thank you for his last minute help - and that can't have happened often!

MISSING GOVERNOR - Margaret McLay's name has disappeared from the list of governors on the CAMSFC website. Has she resigned? MIA are trying to find out.

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22 August 2011 - ANDREW STUNELL Pledges his support!

ANDREW STUNELL MP has pledged his support but we need ACTION not just words!

Marple in Action met with Andrew Stunell recently and he has agreed to attend a Rally in Marple Memorial Park. Dates for the Rally are being looked at and will be announced shortly. Click the link below to read Andrew's Email of support to Marple in Action Chairman David Hoyle, which he confirmed could be read out at the March on Saturday:

http://www.marple-uk.com/marple-in-action/Email-AStunell-MP.pdf

21 August 2011 - March for Marple a huge success!

THANKS TO EVERYONE who turned out for Marple yesterday. The March was a big success with over 1,000 people showing their determination not to accept a supermarket on Hibbert Lane.

Marple in Action is now beginning a poster campaign. We have a large number of stakes, boards and posters and we need permission to place them in peoples' gardens. We particularly need access to gardens along the main routes into Marple and approaching the college. Would people living on Hibbert Lane, Windlehurst Road, Strines Road, Stockport Road, Station Road or Arkwright Road please get in touch with Rick at richard.hardisty(at)btinternet.com and provide your name, address and telephone number. Rick will call to you to arrange to install the poster.

Back to yesterday, the March for Marple was featured on regional news programmes last night and here's an amateur you tube video of the event -thanks to "stives101" for this:

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17 August 2011 - "TESCO" VANDALS!
The saboteurs have turned their attention from away from ripping up "NO SUPERMARKET" posters to spraying graffiti on business premises in Marple. They may have been targeting specific individuals, businesses and locations. The Council will be cleaning them up (at a cost to the ratepayers, of course) and the police have been informed. This is criminal damage and the Police will take it seriously. If you witnessed anything, please get in touch. We will not be intimidated.

THE ONLINE PETITION - gained it’s 1000th signature last night. Its amazing that so many people feel so strongly against the College’s proposal to sell the Hibbert Lane land, which once belonged to the people of Stockport, to a supermarket group. The Governors should examine their consciences.

http://www.ipetitions.com/petition/marple-in-action/

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16 August 2011 - GREENS JOIN CAMPAIGN!
Local Green Party activist Maggie Preston commented: " It's pleasing to note the strength of potential local opposition to a development which I feel would destroy the local shops and the village atmosphere which we all cherish in Marple."

Marple in Action on Pure Radio
Marple in Action Chairman David Hoyle has done an interview with Pure Radio's Pete Liggins that will be broadcast in full on Friday 19 August and also interspersed through the day on Friday. We also hope to have a copy of the interview on-line afterwards for anyone who misses it. For more about Pure Radio visit them on-line at www.pureradio.org.uk or tune in to 107.8FM.

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15 August 2011 - FROM A STUDENT AT MARPLE COLLEGE
Comments: I personally believe that a large supermarket would severely damage the economy of the town. It would draw people away from well established shops, thereby breaking down the centre of the community. I am a student at the college, and would not feel comfortable carrying out my studies opposite a large and busy shop. Aside from anything else, the large influx of traffic combined with the movement of hundreds of students will not mix well. The governing body needs to ask itself which it puts first, it's students or large corporations.

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14 August 2011 - STATEMENT FROM GOVERNORS
Lawrence Grant, Chair of the Governors admits that they are failing to manage the finances of the College and require a quick fix in the form of a £12 million sale of the Hibbert Lane site. He claims that " who will buy the site and what use the planners will ultimately approve is up to them" but he knows that the planners will refuse an application for retail development. They have no choice as the land is outside the area zoned for retail.
 
He is also being economical with the truth as we know that a decision to sell to a supermarket group was made at the last Governors meeting in July. If he disputes that then he should publish the minutes of that Governor's meeting to clear the air. He accepts that "any decision is subject to approval of the SMBC Planning Committee". Will he undertake to withdraw the whole scheme if that Committee turns his application down? Perhaps he will let us know.

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12 August 2011 - PUT 20 AUGUST 2PM in your diary!
REMINDER - a Rally for Marple to show how we feel about the supermarket on Hibbert Lane - 2 o'clock Saturday 20th August in Market Street - be there!

MARPLE IN ACTION will again be in Market street tomorrow ( Saturday 13th) answering questions, giving out leaflets and adding signatures to the petition. If you have not already signed and feel strongly, come on down and add your name to the 1000 plus who have already signed.

DAN BANK BANNER - Marple in Action welcomes visitors to Marple but NOT the planned supermarket development on Hibbert Lane as can be seen by the banner now hung at the gateway to Marple on Dan Bank. This was paid for by a MiA supporter and put up by Tree Surgeon David Myers of Myers Tree Care and clearly tells everyone to say NO TO THE SUPERMARKET ON HIBBERT LANE