News archive (most recent at the top)

Our most recent news is always on our Home page.

Traffic and travel open meeting, (18/6/24)

Fantastic turnout for our open meeting on 11th June, discussing traffic and travel in Marple. Over 60 people came and listened to a brief presentation by Pete Black on "Three truths and two myths" and then a very lively debate ensued. Notes were taken and we've received some input from the questionaires, all available here. There is also a copy of the questionnaire circulated at the meeting that you can complete and email to us.

Andrew Stunnell (3/5/24)

For those who haven't picked up the news, we are very sorry to relate that our patron, Lord Stunell, passed away at the end of April. He attended our AGM earlier this year and has always been very supportive of the work of the Society. We will miss his input and send our sympathies to his family. News of his passing, including many tributes, were published in the Manchester Evening News.

Leisure and Community Hub (22/4/24)

There was an important meeting with the Leisure and Community Hub team on Friday 19th April about a possible Community Woodland in Memorial Park - more detail is available here

Leisure and Community Hub (17/4/24)

The planning application for the Leisure and Community Hub has been submitted by the Council (to itself as planning Authority!) and all details can be seen here. Our planning team has worked through the 109 documents and submitted what we hope will be a helpful set of comments. Our letter is available here.

2024 AGM (17/4/24)
The AGM went off successfully on Saturday 23rd March, 11am at The Navigation on Stockport Road. More details and papers for the meeting are here. (17/4/24)

Neighbourhood Plan (27/2/24)

There has been a lot of mis-information on social media, so just to clarify, the referendum that Marple residents are receiving information about is nothing to do with the Leisure and Community Hub nor any changes to traffic flows in Marple. It is all to do with the Neighbourhood Plan, an attempt to use powers given to local people (created back in 2011 under the Localism Act) to “shape the future development of the town”. Please go to https://ourmarpleplan.co.uk/ for more information. This is not a Civic Society initiative but is promoted by the Neighbourhood Forum, supported by Stockport Council.

Community Hub (8/2/24 and 15/11/23)

Information regarding what happened at the consultation about the Leisure and Community Hub on 8th Feb is here now.

The consultation about new Community Hub has closed. The Society response is available to download. We've asked to be kept in the loop as plans develop and have been informed by the Project Team about survey work being carried out on 15/11/23 - progress is being made!

Make it Marple (9/1/24)

We had our pop-up stand in Market Street as part of Make it Marple on most occasions last year and hope to be there again during 2024 - thanks to all those who have dropped by over the past year and hope to keep the conversation going in 2024!

Update on Community Hub

We've been informed that on 15th November 2023 a topographical and underground utility survey will be being carried out at Marple Memorial Park to inform the designs to the new Community Hub. Progress is obviously being made!

Community Hub consultation

The closing date for the consultation about new Community Hub  is fast approaching - midday 9th October. We encourage everyone to make their own comments via the online consultation this weekend (see SMBC website for more detail). The Society response is also now available to download.

Letter of objection to demolition of old pool

We believe the people of Marple should be consulted about the old pool. With the advent of the planned Community Hub we don't need it as a swimming pool any more and are advised any sale proceeds aren't needed to fund the new development. Having originally been gifted to the people of Marple shouldn't we be consulted as to what is the future of the building or its site? Our letter of objection to the proposed demolition is available here.

Marple Carnival 17/6/23

Great day at the Marple Carnival last Saturday (17th June) - thanks to all those who came and engaged with us and to the 20+ new members joining on the day! A more detailed report of views expressed to follow soon.

Marple Civic Society Annual General Meeting 25/3/23

Make it Marple 18/3/23

We had our pop-up stand in Market Street Saturday 18th March as part of Make it Marple - great to chat to so many people, some really significant conversations, thanks for dropping by.

Marple Area Committee 25/1/23

Some notes from the recent MAC meeting are available to download.

Thinking about (a) Place

Starting the New Year with a somewhat philosophical piece from one of our committee members about what makes a place. Highly relevant and practical as we look forward to a year in which much may be done in Marple that will affect the nature of the place that it is.

Marple Vision into action!

Marple Vision is the new initiative bringing together Groups with an interest in promoting Marple Town Centre and the Civic Society is actively involved. Early days and more will follow shortly but as a first step we joined Richard Daniels of SMBC and local Councillors in a litter pick at “Make It Marple” on Saturday 19th November

Marple Town Centre - discussions start on "A vision for the future including - Traffic Proposals."

In response to a question from the Civic Society asking when the final report on the traffic proposals for Marple Town Centre would be forthcoming Councillors were pleased to announce that the final report is in the process of being finalised and will be discussed at the upcoming forum on 7th November led by Richard Daniels from SMBC.

The forum includes a number of representative groups from Marple, including the Civic Society. If any group in Marple that is not already on the list would be interested in joining the forum perhaps talk to your Councillor or Richard Daniels.

Visual Intrusion of Air Source Heat Pumps - the future or a problem in waiting

The Civic Society asked if SMBC planning department had a planning policy or guidance note that covered visual intrusion and loss of visual amenity caused by the poor siting of air source heat pumps. The Society had received some enquiries about this recently. Councillors agreed that although there seemed to be nothing specific at present it would be a good idea to have a guidance note in place. Councillor Gribbon said he would consult and report back on the issue.

If you have any queries about this, please get in touch via the button below.

Local Councillors shared their frustration at further delays with the Pool

At Marple Area Committee last Wednesday 19 October, in reply to a question from the Marple Civic Society about the future of the proposed new pool for Marple, Councillor Colin MacAlister reported that the Government had yesterday (Tuesday 18 Oct) put back any decision on the future of the Levelling Up Fund (LUF) till next year. The LUF being the means by which the new Community Hub containing the new pool would be funded means that the new pool is effectively on hold. Councillor MacAlister went on to say that SMBC proposes to push on with the process of seeking planning permission in the meantime.

Councillor Allan added that the Community Hub was a large all-or-nothing scheme and that the Council will be looking at an alternative, presumably in case the LUF bid either fails or LUF is simply abandoned by the Government.’

Neighbourhood Policing (2/10/22)

The subject of policing came up at the recent Members Evening. You might like to listen to what Inspector Flavell had to say when he attended Marple Areas Committee on 3 August to report on Neighbourhood Policing. You can find the webcast at:
https://stockport.public-i.tv/core/portal/webcast_interactive/686422/start_time/603000
Or download our brief report which includes the SMBC minute of what was said on the subject.

We meet again! (25/9/22)

After a break of more than two and a half years we restarted members meetings on Friday 16th September. The evening was enjoyed by all those who attended with informal conversation carrying on in the convivial atmosphere of Marple Cricket Club late into the evening after formal business concluded. Follow the link for a brief report of what was discussed.

Marple Carnival - your feedback (22/07/22)

Throughout the day we asked visitors to our pavilion to use a “Post-It” note to share their views on what was needed in Marple and we received a total of 97 separate contributions. The responses were largely from non-members, from a diverse demographic and were supplemented by a whole range of interesting discussions during the day.

Grand Days Out ( 01/07/22)

The Platinum Jubilee at Compstall Cricket Club and the Marple Carnival days were both grand days out for all concerned. In particular MCS was very successful in gaining more than 50 new members over the 2 days. We introduced and distributed our new publicity flyer and displayed newly designed banners and posters around our pavilion which attracted many people who enthusiastically participated in discussions about the things they like about Marple and what needs to be done to safeguard our future.

Gyratory in a spin (4/5/22)

We wait for ages for a report on traffic proposals for Marple, and along come two major studies containing no less than five options for us to unravel. Let us unpack the choices being offered.

Climate job warms up (4/5/22)

In March 2019, Stockport Council declared a climate emergency, and resolved that Stockport should become carbon neutral by 2038, thereby making a commitment to reduce the scale of harmful emissions into the atmosphere. A report was submitted to the September 2021 meeting of Marple Area Committee to outline the Council’s strategy to achieve this aim. Read more

Town centre review ongoing (4/5/22)

Stockport Council announced in February this year a review of the district centres in the Borough following the Covid-19 pandemic. The Council has appointed two new District Centre Managers, one of whom, Richard Daniels, will have responsibility for the centres of Edgeley, Hazel Grove, Romiley and Marple.