Precinct Consultation - Initial Feedback

At last some movement on the long-awaited Chorlton Precinct consultation. A 2 page executive summary has been released. The document itself is being discussed at a Council meeting next week prior to publication of the report.

The summary shows that 1003 people responded to the consultation; of the principles which were presented the following four received most support:

- Encouraging the promotion of a sustainable space
- Improving access, public transport and parking
- Encoraging more people to shop locally
- Further developing independent retail

Two thirds of the respondents said that they didn't want a new foodstore - this is emphatic given the vagueness of the question - The question posed was 'Offer a new food store' - nothing was mentioned about the size of this store. This shows real concern that any redevelopment would be dominated by a large chain supermarket, against the wishes of most of the local people.

The other important point is that a firm of consultants - Drivas Jonas - have been contracted to develop a Plan for the district centre which will include looking at the make up of the centre (the balance of different shops and services). We need to ensure that as part of this work accurate information is gathered about the independent shops in Chorlton.

Previous studies have only gathered detailed information about multiples, estimating provision from independents (because their information is not held on databases). This led to a serious under reporting of capacity. Another piece of research carried out last year for the city council (Independent retail study) has shown that prior evidence used by the City Council as part of their core evidence base (the Retail Needs Study) seriously under reported convenience (food) capacity in Chorlton.

Using data collected by the 'Keep Chorlton Interesting' (KCI) Group the new study shows 3.3 times more capacity - because accurate figures for independent shops floorspace was taken into account. What we need to make sure of is that Drivas Jonas update this work and collect it for all other shops and services in the District Centre.

Why is this important? If Councils are relying on such inaccurate data when measuring predicted impact of new shopping provision (such as the mega Tesco and the White City development) then they will under estimate any impact and cannot also properly argue that there is already sufficient capacity within an area.

Megatesco - Deadline for Objections extended!

The date for the application has still not been set, but may be the 11th March.
Consequently Trafford Council are still open to receive letters regarding the application.

Letters / emails need to be sent in by early March (Emailed objections are just as valid as postal ones). More information at the Stop MegaTesco website

MegaTesco battle escalates

Call in the Application!

The plan to build Britain's biggest Supermarket (less than 2 miles from the centre of Chorlton, and other Manchester shopping areas) has yet to be debated by Trafford's planning committee. Lancashire cricket club who want Tesco money to improve Old Trafford have mounted a huge propaganda exercise. As a result they are claiming messages of support from throughout the region, from people far enough away to be unaffected by the development. A further complication is an application for a large Sainsbury store at White City, also close to both the proposed MegaTesco and Chorlton's shopping centre.

Whilst the Trafford consultation period is over, the campaign is urging people to write to the Government Office North West urging that the application be 'called in' - for further details on the background and how to do this see NoMegaTesco

Below is a response from Margaret Westbrook, Stretford Green parliamentary candidate, to the Cricket Club's latest press release.

"People must be made aware that the NoMegaTesco campaign is NOT against the development of the cricket ground. What we are against is the basis upon which the application has been submitted – to build one of the biggest Tesco’s stores in the country. We believe financial support for the development could and should be found from elsewhere.

The statistics provided by LCC are meaningless – as most people have signed up to this because they want the possibility of the Ashes tests and international matches here. Many of the so called supporters probably do not understand that to allow this planning application would be to make a mockery of both the council’s stance and the government’s decision on a Tesco store half the size only 3 years ago. The vast majority of pledges of support from the LCC’s website are from people who do not live in this area. We have, however, handed in petitions, showing the opposition of over 700 local people to the Tesco element of the application.

Tesco has been and still is able to build a local store of the size of the Sainsury’s in Urmston. What’s more it has recently been made clear that Sainsbury’s intend to build a store of approximately half the size of the MegaTesco application only a few hundred yards away in White City Retail Park, which apparently cannot be refused. Our community will be completely dominated by large supermarkets with fewer local businesses, congestion, less green space and no guarantee of the further regeneration to the area which has been claimed."

Talk Chorlton - stopped talking?

Heard anything recently about the consultation on the shopping precinct, which was carried out by Talk Chorlton? We were promised results early in 2010, but there has been no inkling from their website as to when this will happen. I have made repeated phone calls to them, and have been informed that someone will phone me back. I await with anticipation.

Chorlton Event Guide - February

Greens call for cheaper bus fares

Brian Candeland and the Chorlton Greens team are calling for Manchester City Council to take advantage of new legislation and cut bus fares, improve services and boost Chorlton's economy.

Quality Contract Schemes, available from last month under the amended Local Transport Act 2008, would allow Mancunians to regain control over the quality, availability and cost of their public transport system. "Cutting bus fares is the right thing for everyone in Chorlton." says Brian, "Thousands of residents will feel the benefit in their pockets, and everybody will benefit from reduced congestion on our roads as more people take advantage of cheaper buses. This in turn will make our roads safer for cyclists and pedestrians".

Manchester's bus companies have no obligation to run services for any other reason than to make a profit. In the past decade the cost of motoring has fallen by 13% in real terms whilst bus fares have risen by 17%, while operators have cut back on bus routes that connect local people with services, health care, jobs, and neighbouring communities.

Residents of neighbouring areas currently find it easier to access the city centre rather than Chorlton, putting our local business owners at a disadvantage to large city centre companies. Making it easier for communities to the east and west of us to access Chorlton would benefit local businesses, bring new jobs to the area, and enrich our community.

"As your elected Councillor I will push the Council to improve our transport system so it works for our community and not just for the bus companies. We must take this opportunity to provide Chorlton residents with cheaper fares, better services and a safer, more pleasant environment".