EXCELLENCE IN PLANNING

Planning and the Public

One of the most important activities of the Civic Society is to engage with the planning system as it formulates plans which affect our localities and as it takes decisions on planning applications. In Marple this means involvement with the local planning authority, Stockport Metropolitan Borough Council. Our aim is to ‘demystify’ the system for members and the public and to influence its outcomes where appropriate.

The basic planning framework consists of a hierarchy of local plans and regional plans. The top tier is provided by government and consists of the National Planning Policy Framework and the National Planning Practice Guidance. Next down are regional plans. The Greater Manchester Spatial Framework included Stockport MBC, but the Council chose to withdraw from the GMSF late in 2020; Marple is subject to this decision. However, having chosen to go it alone, Stockport must now create a local plan that proves it can still meet Government-set housing targets.

Stockport Local Plan, now at an advanced stage of preparation, sets out policies reflecting local circumstances, including land allocations for housing and employment, and provides the overall spatial vision and framework for the future sustainable development of the Borough. Finally the ‘bottom tier’ consists of Neighbourhood Development Plans. Marple has its own Neighbourhood Plan prepared by a formal Neighbourhood Forum. Marple Civic Society shares the aims of the Neighbourhood Forum to protect the environment and character of the town.

Making the most of the planning system

The plans above provide the aims and proposals for the development of a locality. They are brought to realisation by the on-going process of development and redevelopment, that is when building takes place, or when a ‘material’ change of use is made to any land or buildings. This process is controlled by the local planning authority through the planning application system.

One of the key jobs undertaken by the Civic Society is the examination and review of planning applications which are published weekly on the Council’s planning applications website. These are available to all on the Stockport Council Planning Applications Simple Search site.

The Society keeps a watchful eye on planning applications in the north and south wards of Marple. Those located in the Green Belt, in Conservation Area or where they might have an impact on the town streetscape are given particular attention.

The Main Planning Tasks for the Society

• commenting on planning applications, whilst recognising that development is closely controlled by the policies in the planning system and that some of the Society’s aims to improve the design and appearance development in Marple may not be given priority over the imperatives to allow ‘sustainable development’ and to maximise the development of much-needed new housing

• responding to consultations from Greater Manchester Spatial Framework; SMBC on Local Plan, the Marple Transport Study; local proposals such as the Community Hub and the Swimming Pool

• responding to and collaborating with Civic Voice on planning matters, including proposed changes to national planning policy, such as last year’s White Paper The Future of Planning, and the Reading University review of Statements of Community Involvement by local planning authorities

• responding to and collaborating with the Marple Neighbourhood Forum on the Neighbourhood Plan for Marple, particularly on planning matters including ‘place making’

• acknowledging and responding to comments by members of the Civic Society and where appropriate putting these forward to the local planning authority SMBC

• commenting on matters relating to highways, footpaths in town and country

Marple Area Committee Meeting

Area Committee Meetings are a valuable opportunity for local people to engage with the councillors they elected to represent them. Marple Area Committee Meetings are held generally once a month. Society committee members attend the monthly Area Committee meetings, where decisions about Marple are made, and upload meeting notes to the website. We also liaise with local councillors and council officers on a regular basis.

We aim to keep our members fully informed of all planning issues and emerging plans relating to the Marple area but if something is of concern to you do get in touch.