'This town has been sold to Tesco'

Guardian - 05/05/2010

"...This is what happened in Trafford in March, when a 168,000 sq ft store and accompanying development was granted planning permission, although an application for an 89,000 sq ft store on the same site was refused in 2006. The difference is that this time the redevelopment of Lancashire county cricket club is part of the scheme..."

Read the whole story online...

Election Debate on 4th May at 7-30pm at St. Paul's, Sale.

Jane Baugh - the importance of Greenspace

Jane Baugh speaks about the importance of Greenspace in the community with particular reference to the Greenspace Strategy proposed by Trafford Metropolitan Borough Council.

(Trafford Heritage Society (THS), a non-politically aligned organisation, interviews Jane Baugh. We are grateful for the opportunity Jane has given us. The opinions expressed in the film are her own and not necessarily those of THS. Other films, including some with people from other political parties are coming soon...)

SAM 15 April 2010

Dear Editor,

In your report (SAM 15 April 2010) of the Planning Committee meeting which refused the planning application for 85 Broad Road, you quote Mr Titterton's comments alleging that I and my colleague Councillor Jane Baugh only got involved because of the nearing local elections.

His comments verge on the defamatory and are simply untrue. The fact is that the Priory Ward councillors have been in contact with the Council and local residents about this building for several years. It has been a source of concern ever since the owner left it unoccupied and open to vandalism, with the inevitable result that it rapidly deteriorated from a pleasant family house to a local eyesore.

The present application was rejected by a majority of councillors from across the political Parties. Rather than attacking the integrity of elected representatives, Mr. Titterton would serve his client better if he now tried to design a development that was acceptable to the Planning Committee and the local community.

Yours etc.

Cllr. Barry Brotherton

(Trafford Heritage Society is unaligned with any political party)

The application to build 14 retirement apartments on the site of 85 Broad Road was REFUSED at the 8th of April meeting of the Planning Committee.

140 letters of objection had been received and a petition of 453 names signalled to members of the planning committee the degree of community concern about the proposed development.

Compelling representations against the proposal were made by both Cllr Jane Baugh and Cllr Barry Brotherton, who have been extremely supportive of the campaign against the development, and by Rachael Lewis whose house adjoins the property.

A represenatation for the the proposal was made by Andrew Titterton of AEW Architects on behalf of the owner, Michael McHale of Maple Leaf Developments.

Cllr Jane Baugh drew attention to the fact that the existing house is unnecessarily in a poor state of repair due to neglect and this could have been prevented by the owner.

A very lively debate followed with members of both parties arguing the merits for and against the application. Some members felt that the development had to be a certain size to 'pay' for itself, however, the majority decision was that it was too big a development for the site, would cause unnecessary loss of amenity to the immediate residents, and that despite the late amendment to increase car parking spaces on the site, increased on-street parking would be a serious issue opposite the school and on this 'tight junction'. Much mention was made of the 140 letters of objection and public concern for loss of street scene. It was also hotly debated whether the industrial style external polished concrete frame to the building would be in keeping with the local area.

Despite, recomendations from Simon Castle, Head of Planning to Grant the application members voted overwhelmingly to REFUSE on the grounds of overmassing, loss of amenity and street scene.

On leaving the building the Architects stated that they will go to Appeal.

Good News!

We have some Good News! Rachael has done a brilliant job and 85 Broad Road is safe for now! Planning refused! More News will follow shortly.

Planning Committee will meet tonight

The Planning Committee will meet tonight to decide the fate of 85 Broad Road. The meeting is at 6.15 at the Trafford Town Hall, Talbot Road. All are welcome to come and to show opposition to the plans. Rachael will speak against them. If you can’t make it to support us, please think of us and wish her luck.

Metro News: Shock at schools closure proposal

Two popular primary schools face closure under plans to combat a shortage of pupil places.

Trafford Council proposes to close Worthington Primary School and Templemoor Infant School and merge them with Moorlands Junior School, building larger premises on its current site ...Read the full story online

This Monday the Trafford Executive committee discussed plans to merge Worthington Road, Moorlands and Templemoor schools into a 'super' school.

This Monday the Trafford Executive committee discussed plans to merge Worthington Road, Moorlands and Templemoor schools into a 'super' school on the current Moorlands site. This will effectively change Moorlands from being a 6 class + special unit school with approximately 180 pupils into a 650 pupil site. Given that the current traffic situation along Temple Road is difficult at school drop off and pick up times, it is hard to fully envisage the implications of tripling the traffic at these times. This makes the wisdom of having the main entrance for a block of apartments opposite the main entrance to such a busy school even more concerning.

Time to let the people speak (85 Broad Road)

"...Sale has suffered from the loss of too many houses of this era which are unique, can never be replaced and are a very important part of our heritage. The proposed development is far too large, will add extra traffic congestion near the school, and is totally out of character for the site. I shall be opposing the proposed development at the Planning Committee meeting in April..."

Councillor Jane Baugh

Please sign this petition!

Please sign this online petition against a Mega Tesco opening in Stretford:

http://www.petitiononline.com/nmtgonw/petition.html

Trafford Heritage Society supports the campaign to prevent this happening for many reasons including support of local shop owners, traffic concerns (the area is congested enough) and concerns that due process has not been followed.

Please take a couple of minutes to register your concerns by signing the petition.

Every signature helps!

Time to let the people speak (85 Broad Road)

"Do we want Sale Moor to be filled with flats? I want family homes in keeping with the local area!"

Adam Burgess

Time to let the people speak (85 Broad Road)

"...It's a shame to lose what was a lovely family house as the proposed development will cause traffic problems..."

Councillor Barry Brotherton, Labour

Time to let the people speak (85 Broad Road)

"I am very concerned at the way the developer has been allowed to let this building fall into disrepair so that he can persuade the council to agree to the demolition of what was a fine building!"

Barry Lewis

Time to let the people speak (85 Broad Road)

"...I wouldn't like the people looking into our house and private lives..."

L. Kennerk (12 yrs.)

Time to let the people speak (85 Broad Road)

"Have we not learned from the mistakes of Brooklands Road?"

Margaret

Time to let the people speak (85 Broad Road)

"...My concern is the effect of the traffic on a dangerous busy junction next to the school, due to lack of parking..."

Judith

Political parties back our campaign

We are delighted to announce that the Labour party has objected to the current planning application for 85 Broad Road. In addition, the Labour party has told us of their ongoing concern for the deteriorating condition of the property that they have voiced for some time now.

We are also delighted to have support for our campaign from the Conservative party, who have told us that they do not support the building of flats on 85 Broad Road. They also told us they will support residents in “opposing unreasonable developments”.

With support from two major political parties, it is hoped our campaign will have the success it deserves.

"...The Labour Councillors for Priory Ward have been concerned about the deteriorating state of this house for some time. However, we have objected to the current planning application as the proposed development is far too large for the site, will cause a loss of privacy and amenity for neighbours and may set a precedent for further developments which will change the character of this area..."

Councillor Barry Brotherton, Labour

"...Wythenshawe & Sale East Conservatives do support the residents in opposing unreasonable developments and we would not be in favour of building a block of flats on the site at 85 Broad Road..."

Wythenshawe & Sale East Conservative spokesperson, Marie Raynor

Time to let the people speak (85 Broad Road)

"...The impact of the street parking would be significant..."

Gary Hinds

Petition time

Dear Friends,

Petition time

We need your help!
We started a petition for 85 Broad Road. There are proposals at the council to demolish the house that is there at present and to build 13 bed apartments* with 9 parking spaces*. We’re objecting to this on the following grounds:

1. The destruction of an aesthetically pleasing house to build 13 apartments* will not enhance the area

2. The site is not large enough to accommodate sufficient parking for 13 apartments* and their visitors

3. This development would cause more congestion to an area that is already problematic in rush hour times.

4. The site is in a peaceful area with family houses nearby; a 13 bed apartment* would not suit the profile of the area

5. Family accommodation is needed in Sale, not yet more flats

6. 13 apartments will not complement the surrounding amenities, such as a school, as these apartments will not be suitable for families

7. We wish to preserve houses, particularly those over 100 years old

So far, there are petitions at:

Hugalls Chemists, Sale Moor

Taylors Butchers, Sale Moor

Petrol station, Sale Moor

PLEASE could you go to one of these shops and sign the petition?

There are also leaflets outlining how to object to the proposals are in the Sandwich Box, Café Moorish and Claire Haggerty Optometrist.

Thanks in advance

THS Campaign Team

* PLEASE NOTE:
Please note, it is in fact a block of 14 single and two bed apartments with 7 car parking spaces plus two disabled spaces. The developer lists it as 13 apartments (plus one) and 9 parking spaces, presumably to make it look less daunting.