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This page details news and developments that occurred on the Supermarket issue throughout 2011. Click this link for news and updates in 2012

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11 December 2011 - Latest News and Christmas Good Wishes

Here's the December 2011 edition of Marple in Action's newsletter.

Merry Christmas to everyone and thank you to those who joined us on Saturday to share a mince pie and some punch – especially those who have made a donation to Marple in Action. We are taking a bit of break now from having the stall in Market Street, but we will be back in the New Year. In the meantime we will continue the fight against ASDA and would urge people to write to the CEO of ASDA with their own views on the issues.

There is one final Area Committee meeting this year on Wednesday 21 December which MiA will be attending.

29 November 2011 - Allocations DPD consultation is closed

The Allocations DPD Consultation phase 2 – Issues and Options – is now closed. Thank you to all those people who took the time and trouble to visit the MIA stall in Market Street and complete the response form and those who completed the response on-line. The responses are being collated by the Planning Policy Team and when the results are known Phase 3 – Preferred Options – will be open for consultation. If all goes to plan this will take place between May and mid/late June 2012. We will let you know the number of responses from phase 2 when the Council have logged them.

13 November 2011 - Allocations DPD consultation is very important!

The Council is writing a new plan called the ' Allocations DPD' which sets out what types of development should be allowed on different areas of land – this is a very important consultation and the people of Marple should ensure that they have their say.

Documents relating to the consultation process can be seen at www.stockport.gov.uk/allocationsdpd.

The online questionnaire is rather “clunky” and takes a long time to complete.

Marple in Action have developed a simplified form to respond to the Allocations DPD that covers 6 of the ‘danger’ development sites in Marple. The Planning Policy Team has agreed that they will accept responses in this format.

The simplified forms will be available on the Marple in Action Saturday Stall throughout the remainder of November and the MiA Technical Team will be on hand to discuss the issues. People can complete the forms in comfort at the table and chairs that will be provided and MiA will have stamped, addressed envelopes ready so they can pop across to the mail box and post them off straight away.

30 October 2011 - WORK UNDERWAY??

This photo was taken on Thursday and shows the drilling team already at work on the College site. According to an Environmental Health official they are not working for a supermarket but for the College! It would of course, show consideration to the people living nearby to the works if the College would explain what was going on.

27 October 2011 - WORK STARTS AT HIBBERT LANE?

Local residents have reported that what appears to be building survey equipment, is now being used on the Hibbert Lane site. This is being monitored to ensure that noise levels are contained but it is obvious that the College, the owners of the site, are not concerned about their neighbours. Stockport Planning have been alerted and if any householder nearby is troubled by the noise ( as some where at 7.30am this morning! ) they should phone SMBC Environmental Health on 474 4284 and report a “noise complaint”. They will be given a reference number and the matter will be investigated.

Christina Cassidy, the Principal of Cheadle and Marple Sixth Form College claims in last week's Stockport Express (page 8) that they “have met with everyone who has asked to meet with them” over the supermarket threat. I'm sure this will come as a surprise to Dave Goddard, Leader of Stockport Council, who at the recent Extraordinary Marple Area Committee meeting, said that he “cannot get to meet the Principal” as she refuses to meet with him. Who is right?

Mr Goddard repeated his pledge at that meeting that the Council will:

  • REFUSE PLANNING PERMISSION FOR A SUPERMARKET ON HIBBERT LANE

  • FIGHT ANY APPEALS TO THEIR CONCLUSION

He was keen to emphasise that the SMBC would not hesitate to use it's financial muscle in any battle against a supermarket development on this site.

23 October 2011 - ANOTHER IMPORTANT MEETING

Marple Area Committee will be holding a public forum over the "Local Development Framework - Allocations Development Plan". Sounds dull but it's actually the review of the use of way land and buildings can be used in Marple. The College land at Hibbert Lane is bound to come up for consideration and important decisions on whether it should be used in future for education, leisure, housing or even retail (!) will be made after the public consultation period. The meeting is at Marple Library 6pm on Wednesday next 26th October - please be there to have your say.

Documents relating to the consultation process can be seen at www.stockport.gov.uk/allocationsdpd

DEFINITELY NOT MARPLE IN ACTION! - the milk bottles and graffiti being left on the Hibbert Lane College railings are nothing to do with Marple in Action. We love Marple and don't want to see is spoilt by either rubbish like this or the construction of a huge supermarket on the site. Local residents are being upset so will the person responsible please desist.

22 October 2011 - EX-GOVERNORS SPEAK OUT THIS WEEK:

EX GOVERNORS SPEAK OUT to the Stockport Express this week - Stephen Downs and Margaret McLay resigned their posts at Cheadle and Marple Sixth Form College over plans to sell its Hibbert Lane site to a supermarket chain.

Mr Downs, a governor for four years, said a new store would ‘put local shops out of business’ and add to congestion. He would prefer to see affordable homes built on Hibbert Lane.

Mr Downs said: "Given my personal and community-based objections to the scheme, it was impossible for me to represent the college independently as a governor. "While I acknowledge that financially a large supermarket offered the best deal, I believe that the college has a responsibility to make decisions that are in the best interests of the wider community – and a large supermarket does not do this. "The governors are all good people trying to do what is best for the college in very testing times."

Ms McLay, also a governor for four years, said: "I know that the college faces a difficult time but it’s not the fault of the residents. "A supermarket will have a huge impact on Marple’s town centre and the traffic is very very busy. I think the college has been badly advised on this. We already have a large Co-op and a Morrisons in Bredbury, so another supermarket is not necessary."

21 October 2011 - EXTRAORDINARY AREA COMMITTEE ON-LINE:

A full recording of the Marple Area Committee Meeting on Wednesday 12 October is now available via the Stockport Council web site here: Video Link

16 October 2011 - SOME QUESTIONS THE COLLEGE WON'T ANSWER:

Text from a leaflet handed out to prospective users of CAMSFC during the Open Day yesterday:

If your child is considering attending CAMSFC, there are some questions you may want to ask the tutors and principal before you make any decisions.

This week [10-10-11] via the statement on the reverse of this leaflet, we have learnt that the Governors are now only considering one course of action to raise money to provide facilities fit for purpose – SELLING TO A SUPERMARKET DEVELOPER.

To date the Governors have resisted all attempts to open discussions on acceptable alternatives and have persisted with this course of action as being the only way they consider they can fulfil their obligations to their students and staff, but with no regard whatsoever to what this means to the community of Marple.

The Governors in their statement seem to have abdicated any responsibility for their actions by indicating that the supermarket developer, their lawyers, consultants and the Council must make the decision and fight it out. Ultimately they will be forcing Stockport Council into an appeals process that will be costly to all ratepayers in Stockport.

We have serious concerns that the money raised from the sale of Hibbert Lane campus (rumoured to be £12m) will not provide the capital required to transfer all the facilities such as Science Labs, Art Dept, Library, Sports Hall to Buxton Lane.

It seems to MIA that the principal and governors of the college have no respect for the community from which most of their pupils come, moreover their very limited communication and interaction has left many people wondering what the long term future is for the college in our community.

With this in mind perhaps you should ask the college representatives the following questions:

  • Ask the Principal to reveal her future plans as we have doubts they are achievable.

  • Ask the Principal what the medium and long term plans for CAMSFC in Marple and Cheadle are.

  • Ask the Principal what will happen to the plans for Buxton Lane if the sale of Hibbert Lane is unsuccessful.

  • Ask the Principal why they have not engaged with the community regarding the sale of Hibbert Lane campus.

  • Ask the Principal if all the facilities from Hibbert Lane will be transferred to Buxton Lane.

  • Ask the Principal if the move to Buxton Lane will involve redundancies.

  • Ask the Principal if the move to Buxton Lane will mean dropping any subjects currently taught.

15 October 2011 - GOVERNORS STATEMENT

The Chair of the Governors of CAMSFC admitted publicly for the first time that "The College is currently negotiating with a large retailer to sell the site to them. The sale will however be subject to them obtaining planning permission for a new store from the Local Authority." The local authority in question i.e. Stockport MBC has repeatedly said that planning permission will be refused so the Governors clearly expect that "TescoPower" will squash all local planning and community objections.

It has been suggested that the College's attitude is "softening" and they are now preparing for "full consultation". Their refusal to even talk to the leader of Stockport Council demonstrates that this is very definitely not the case!

Marple Between the Wars - A tongue-in-cheek reworking of Billy Bragg's Between the Wars by Carl Cieka in protest at the Plans of Cheadle and Marple Sixth Form College to sell their Hibbert Lane Campus for development as a supermarket:

13 October 2011 - MARPLE AREA COMMITTEE SNUBBED BY COLLEGE

COLLEGE PRINCIPAL AND GOVERNORS REFUSED an invitation from Marple's Area Committee to join a special meeting to discuss their plans in public for the first time last night, even though it was held on their own Buxton Lane Campus! For an educational body to so arrogantly disregard the elected representatives, and the public of Marple, is appalling and says a lot about the attitude of the individuals concerned.

MARPLE IN ACTION WILL FIGHT TO THE END – this was the message delivered to a packed Area Committee Meeting last night. The leader of Stockport Council, Dave Goddard, supported by councillors and planning officials, made it quite clear that they will refuse any planning application for a supermarket on the Hibbert Lane site and fight any planning appeals to their conclusion. Goddard said he had been ignored by the College Principal who wouldn't even discuss the matter with him!

A MARPLE IN ACTION representative at the meeting read out a statement from the group as follows:

Marple in Action was formed by residents and businesses in Marple to oppose the proposed development of a supermarket on the Hibbert Lane campus of Cheadle & Marple 6th Form College.

That is and remains our primary function.

Our position with regards the Extraordinary Area Committee Meeting on Wednesday (tonight) is equally clear – we are not here to debate whether a supermarket development should be allowed on the Hibbert Lane campus, we believe that should not even be under consideration given that the council planning department have made it clear that it is contrary to the SMBC Core Strategy and will be rejected.

We are here to meet with the Principal and Governors of CAMSFC and Council Officers, to hear their response to the serious concerns raised by the community.

We also wish to seek assurances from the Councillors and Planning Department they will maintain their implacable opposition to any proposal for a supermarket on Hibbert Lane campus should the application go to appeal.

DECISION DATES FOR SUPERMARKET ON HIBBERT LANE CAMPUS

WEDNESDAY 12TH OCTOBER

Under pressure from Marple in Action, local councillors have called for the College Principal and Governors to meet the public of Marple to explain themselves at a Extraordinary Area Committee Meeting. Amazingly the College have so far ignored requests to attend even though it is being held at their own College on Buxton Lane!

THIS IS YOUR LAST CHANCE TO HAVE INFLUENCE - WE WILL BE THERE

PLEASE ATTEND Doors Open 5pm - starts 6pm

MONDAY 17th OCTOBER

The Governors meet to make a DECISION IN PRIVATE that will affect all our lives for many years to come.

More traffic, houses devalued, more pollution, businesses and jobs lost – our community ruined to satisfy corporate greed.

WRITE OR EMAIL TO THEM BEFORE IT IS TOO LATE - see below:

28 September 2011 - DECISION DAY! WRITE NOW!

Marple in Action has learnt that the Governor's meeting to decide on whether or not to go ahead with the proposed planning application for a supermarket is set for Monday 17th October. If you feel that a decision to go for planning for a supermarket on Hibbert Lane will change Marple for ever, please write or email the Principal and the Governors.

This may be your last chance to have a say.

We do not have private addresses for for the Governors so write to each c/o the College marking the envelopes "Private and Confidential":

CHEADLE & MARPLE SIXTH FORM COLLEGE
Marple Campus Hibbert Lane Marple Stockport SK6 7PA

Current Governors
(as originally published on the CAMSFC web site at the start of the campaign)

Lawrie Grant Chair   
Trevor Jones Deputy Chair
Christina Cassidy Principal
Adrian Clare Governor
Ian Doughty Parent (Resigned?)
Stephen Downs (Resigned in protest at College's plans)
Sandra Dunn Staff
Anand Dutta Governor
Mike Gledhill Governor
Margaret McLay Governor (Resigned?)
Phil Masey Student
Karen Moore Governor
Ian Powell Staff
Richard Young Governor

Please also click on Writing to Governors & Following up.

27 September 2011 - Request from College Staff

MARPLE IN ACTION have been asked by staff at the college not to use the Adult and Learning open evening as a vehicle for protest against staff at the College. MIA want to make it clear that our protest is NOT against the teaching and administrative staff at the College - many of whom live in Marple and love the town as we do. We know that privately many have expressed deep concern over the College's plans to sell the Hibbert Lane site to a supermarket group and we are entirely sympathetic to their predicament. It is to be hoped that the Principal and the Governors will recognize the damage they about to do to the people of Marple and look again at their plans.

26 September 2011 - Protest outside the college

MARPLE IN ACTION demonstrated outside the Hibbert Lane College this morning in anticipation of the Ofsted Inspectors arrival at CAMSFC. The intention was to make clear to the Inspectors that the College's relations with the Marple community are being seriously damaged by the plans to allow a supermarket development on the site. Support was given by students and passersby and a letter to the Inspectors was handed in to the College reception.

23 September 2011 - OFSTED INSPECTORS / MARPLE FESTIVAL

OFSTED INSPECTORS are visiting the Cheadle and Marple Sixth Form College on Monday 26th and Tuesday 27th September and Marple in Action are keen for them to know that relations with the Marple community are at an all time low. We have contacted Ofsted and also hope to meet up with the Inspectors during their visit. Lets hope they get a proper view of how Marple feels about their plans to build a supermarket on the Hibbert Lane campus.

MARPLE FESTIVAL events at the College that are student based or are organised to raise funds for charities are supported by Marple in Action. The “Political Question Time” on Tuesday 27th September ( 7pm start ) and the “Adult and Community Learning open evening” on Wednesday 6pm to 9pm, however are ideal opportunities for members of the public to visit the Buxton Lane College and ask questions over local political and college issues.

SUPERMARKETS GET THE BLAME FOR BOARDED UP MARKET TOWNS - this man seems to have the right idea!

ALL PARTY PARLIAMENTARY GROUP ON TOWN CENTRES: 25 JANUARY 2011 – even Parliamentarians appear to have realised the danger Marple and other towns are in!

21 September 2011 - Writing to Governors and following up

Marple in Action had some enquiries from members of the public at the Food and Drink Day on Saturday asking what they should do about letters they had written to the Governors. Like many of us, they have received unsatisfactory replies with a copy of the Statement issued by Lawrence Grant, Chair of Governors.

We’ve now had time to think and take advice and here is what we suggest: Writing to Governors & Following up.

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

Beswick at Breakfast, 9th September 2011, iPlayer audio link

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.

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: MiA Newsletter.

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 or email your contact details to

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.

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."

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".

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 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!

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."

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 here to see copy of the presentation notes].

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.

Also here's another you tube video from last Saturday's March for Marple:

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.

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:

Email Andrew Stunell MP to David Hoyle, Marple in Action

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 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:

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.

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.

15 August 2011 - Extra Volunteers Needed!

Marple in Action need some more volunteers to act as Marshalls for the March on Saturday 20th August. Could volunteers please email their name and contact details to Rick Hardisty at

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.

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.

13 August 2011 - MARPLE SPEAKS!

Another 1,000 plus people in Market Street today signed our petition to say NO TO A SUPERMARKET ON HIBBERT LANE. For the second Saturday running people queued to express their feelings that this development will be bad for Marple and added their signatures. Others who had signed previously came to make donations, pick up posters for their windows, and to learn details of the Marple Protest March next Saturday afternoon.


Another member of the Marple public adds her signature to the other 999 that had already signed by mid afternoon on Saturday to say "NO TO A SUPERMARKET ON HIBBERT LANE" Thank you to all who have signed so far - if you haven't you will get another chance to add your signature and your voice at Saturday's rally (2pm Market Street).

The online petition also grows with over 900 people now having lodged their vote on the Marple in Action website. If you haven't done already, please click onto the PETITION heading and take a few seconds to register your name and make your views known..

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

10 August 2011 - ANDREW STUNELL MP JOINS US!

Hazel Grove MP Andrew Stunell met a delegation from Marple in Action yesterday and pledged his support to our campaign to stop the supermarket plans on Hibbert Lane from ruining our community. He feels so strongly that "the College must think again", he has launched his own petition to add to Marple in Action's petitions, which already have almost 2,000 signatures. Mr. Stunell is Parliamentary Under Secretary (i.e. Minister for Communities) with special responsibility for community cohesion, big society, housing and regeneration. Enough said!

ASDA & TESCO FINED FOR PRICE FIXING - Asda and Tesco were amongst the companies today fined a total of £49.5 MILLION POUNDS by the Office of Fair Trading for price fixing on dairy products. Each was fined around £10 million pounds for collusion that added pence to the price of milk and cheese. These greedy supermarkets must not be allowed to ruin Marple just to add more millions to their profits.

Don't moan about supermarkets - ACT! ( see Paul Vallely, The Independent 7th August 2011 )

09 August 2011 - MARCH for MARPLE! - SATURDAY 20th AUGUST - 2pm Market Street

Show the College, the supermarkets and the authorities how Marple feels about the proposed Hibbert Lane development by joining Marple in Action on a protest march starting at 2pm from our base on Market Street. We will walk from there to the Hibbert Lane site in a peaceful demonstration that will show that Marple says "NO" to their plans for an out of centre supermarket. Please tell your friends and neighbours and urge them to come and join us.

POSTER THEFTS - More incidents of our "Stop the Supermarket " posters being stolen from people`s gardens have been reported and the police have been informed. This is not casual vandalism - these are organised sabotuers. A description of the people and the car have been obtained. Please be vigilant and record any car number of any suspicious incident.

ALL SAINTS' CHURCH - members are meeting this Wednesday at 6pm, outside the College to prayer-walk the site. They have seen some great answers to prayer recently and so are full of hope that this threat to the Marple community can be averted. Anyone is welcome to join them.

08 August 2011 - 500th Signature On-line!

Well done KEV FROGGATT, five hundredth signature on the on-line petition. If you haven't signed it, click on "SIGN THE PETITION" and just do it. It only takes a few seconds but shows what you feel about the College's proposal to sell the Hibbert Lane site to the highest bidder and damn the consequences.

Just consider, if they have second thoughts on the Buxton Lane site, we could end up with the supermarket and Cheadle would get the millions invested in their college!

07 August 2011 - 1,000 Signatures on Saturday!

MARPLE SAYS "NO" - in a few hours over a thousand people signed a petition in Market Street, on Saturday to say "NO" to a supermarket on Hibbert Lane. People queued to sign and expressed their opinions that the development of a supermarket on Hibbert Lane would ruin our town and our community."

06 August 2011 - Donations made to Marple in Action!

DONATIONS to Marple in Action of £100 each have been received from Mick McPhee's newsagents and Viv and Dave at the Rolling Pin Bakery, both on Stockport Road. Viv and Dave's came with a note "please let residents know that we small businesses are behind them". Both were unsolicited and are vital as we have limited funding to carry the campaign forward at present.

We have also had great help from HB Printing, Main Marketing, the Marple Review, The Marple Website, Stationery Supplies, Helen Wintersons and the list is growing daily thank you!

04 August 2011 - Community Support Grows!

MARPLE BUSINESS FORUM last night pledged their full support behind the Marple in Action campaign to stop the development of a huge out of town centre supermarket on Hibbert Lane. At a packed meeting the members, who are mostly residents as well as business owners, strongly felt that the development would ruin Marple and will campaign to fight it.

MARPLE CIVIC SOCIETY have declared that they "fully supports the MIA group in opposing a supermarket on the CAMSFC Hibbert Lane Site".

31 July 2011 - Governor resigns over college plans

We have learnt today that CAMSFC Governor Stephen Downs has resigned from his role as governor at the college as he disagrees 100% with the college's plans to sell the Hibbert Lane Campus site to a supermarket chain.

Marple Area Committee 27 July 2011

Representatives of Marple in Action today attended a meeting with Ms Cassidy (Principal) and Mr Hubert (Finance) of CAMSFC. We were told that they have considered many options for the sale of the Hibbert Lane site and that YES they were now only considering the supermarket option. They would not disclose which supermarkets have made bids but confirm there are two in the running and they have a "favourite". The sale will be subject to planning permission for both the supermarket on Hibbert Lane AND the redevelopment and extension of the Buxton Lane campus but they expect to sign a contract mid-October after their next Governors Board Meeting. Apparently they have taken advice on the likelihood of obtaining planning permission, bearing in mind the site is currently zoned for residential use, and have been advised by their legal team that this change of use would not be in breach of planning law.

Following on from this, we attended the Marple Area Committee meeting and were amazed by the turnout from local residents. Approximately 300 people forced the Councillors to abandon the Senior Citizens Hall and hold their first ever open air meeting in Memorial Park. The Councillors not as up-to-date as the people of Marple! So, thank you to those who gave up their valuable time to voice their concerns over this most important and now most urgent of local issues. You, the people of Marple, have delivered a clear message to the Councillors that MARPLE is indeed IN ACTION!!! This is only the beginning. Keep spreading the word, and keep all eyes on this website as we develop our action plan, and for news of the next meeting.

Marple in Action needs your support: find out how you can help!

Web pages provided by The Marple Website

** Marple Civic Society, Registered Charity 236593, are acting as banker for donations towards the Marple in Action Campaign.

Marple in Action is supported by Marple Business Forum