Latest News via Woodford Community Council e-Newsletter
The WCC is now issuing e-mail newsletters and newsflashes to keep residents updated on the latest news in the community.
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News
CLICK on a heading to go straight to the individual NEWS items.
Woodford Community Council AGM
GMSF update - Jan 2021
Greater Manchester Transport Strategy 2040
Woodford Footpaths Walks Updated January 2021
Woodford History Updated January 2021
Woodford Wildlife Updated January 2021
Latest draft of GMSF
Woodford Neighbourhood Forum Update
Woodford Wildlife - Three Whooper Swans/Herons
Poynton Relief Road
No Waiting near Foden Lane
Tracing Family History
Climate Change Consultation
Poynton Relief Road
No Waiting near Foden Lane
Tracing Family History
Woodford History - 19th and 20th Centruy
Woodford Footpaths - Updated
Woodford Wildlife - Updated
WNF Update
Woodford History - Deep History & The Middle Ages
Wildlife
Funding
Call for new committee members
WWMCC Update (Link to Woodford War Memorial Community Centre)
Chester Rd. Woodford works, requiring traffic signals (20th – 22nd July) between junctions of Bridle Rd and Chester Rd, Poynton
Walk Ride groups launch Safe Streets Stockport website to help identify where temp. changes on our roads & pavements are needed during the coronavirus crisis
BIN COLLECTIONS - A REMINDER
Donate to WCC online or sponsor us
Stockport’s Green Bin collection to start fortnightly service from Monday 11 May
Coronavirus (COVID-19) helpline launched for Stockport’s vulnerable people
SMBC Information - Bin Collections
Extra Green Bin collections April 2020 - full details and ideas to help reduce residents' food waste can be found here.
Notice Board
Our Website
Funding
New Constitution
Future Activities
Call for Committee Members
Funding
Protect Yourself from Burglary
Woodford Neighbourhood Plan is Made (including referendum result)
Greater Manchester Spatial Framework (GMSF) Updated
North Cheshire Garden Village (NCGV)
Woodford Neighbourhood Plan (WNP)
Join us to fight the green belt grab
Rally to Save Greater Manchester’s Green Belt
Statement on the Greater Manchester Spatial Framework
Save Our Greenbelt Walk
Save Our Greenbelt
Cheshire East Local Plan – Revised Local Plan Strategy Consultation
Last Ever Vulcan Flypast
Exhibition - Vision for the Future of Woodford
Woodford Community Council AGM
The WCC AGM was a virtual meeting via Zoom held on 26th November 2020 due to the Covid requirements for social distancing. Thank you to all those who attended. The minutes can be viewed here.
All Woodford residents are automatically members of the WCC. There are vacancies on the Management Committee, so if you would like to be more involved please contact us via email.
GMSF update
Stockport Council voted against GMSF after a 4-hour meeting on 4th December. Many councillors spoke passionately on behalf of their residents in the discussions before they were asked to vote on whether they approved GMSF 2020 to proceed to the next stages in the process, which would include public consultation and then Examination. The votes were:
35 “Against”
26 “For”
Stockport Council will now go it alone to prepare a Stockport Local Plan. Legislation requires that this is achieved by 2023.
Following that decision, the remaining nine authorities in Greater Manchester voted to proceed with preparation of a joint plan for the nine authorities at meetings of the Association of Greater Manchester Authorities (AGMA) and Greater Manchester Combined authority (GMCA) on 11th December. If approved and adopted, the joint plan will then be followed by local plans for each individual authority. More information can be found on this link: Report by Paul Dennett.
Greater Manchester Transport Strategy 2040
Transport for Greater Manchester developed the Greater Manchester Transport Strategy 2040 on behalf of the Greater Manchester Combined Authority (GMCA) and Greater Manchester Local Enterprise Partnership (LEP). It aims to establish a fully integrated, high capacity transport system across Greater Manchester. We support the overall aims for “cleaner, greener, more prosperous city region through better connections and simpler travel.” However, we have raised concerns with our local councillors about a diagram showing a proposed Bus Rapid Transit route apparently looping through the fields in Woodford from the North Cheshire Growth Village in Handforth to the Redrow development on the former Woodford aerodrome site.
Section of Map 2 shown on page 23 of the Delivery Plan 2020-2025, which shows the proposed route of the Bus Rapid Transit through Woodford.
The proposals were considered at the Stockport Council meeting on 4th December and all the key documents considered at this meeting can be found here. It was agreed to:
(1) Endorse the refreshed Greater Manchester Transport Strategy 2040 and the final version of Our Five-Year Delivery Plan for approval by GMCA and publication.
(2) Approve the publication of the supporting Local Implementation Plan as an appendix to Our Five-Year Delivery Plan, acknowledging that these are “live” documents and will be subject to regular review and update as appropriate.
Latest draft of GMSF now available
The third draft of GMSF and supporting documents were made available on 23rd October in advance of the Association of Greater Manchester Authorities (AGMA) meeting on 30th October. You can find them on these links:
The latest version of GMSF (the Greater Manchester Spatial Framework Publication Plan 2020) now has to be considered by each of the ten local authorities in Greater Manchester. If it is approved for consultation by all ten authorities, then consultation will start on 1st December 2020 and close on 26th January 2021.
The Woodford allocation remains as 750 additional dwellings on the former aerodrome site, but there are small changes, which include:
- Avro Golf Course, New Hall Farm House and New Hall Cottage are no longer included within the allocation boundary.
- On site affordable housing is increased from 40% to 45%
- The number of custom/self-build plots within the site is specified as 11.
- There is a new paragraph “Significantly enhance the value of existing community facilities within the allocation and the wider Woodford area, including through the provision of additional sporting facilities and improving or supplementing the existing Woodford War Memorial Community Centre.”
- Heritage assets to be protected “including the Grade II* listed New Hall Farm House and New Hall Cottage, and the Grade II listed structures Garden Wall to North and East of New Hall Farm and New Hall Cottage, Barn to South East of New Hall Farmhouse, Old Hall Farm and Barn at Old Hall Farm."
At the AGMA meeting on 30th October, the leaders of the ten local authorities approved GMSF 2020 to proceed for consideration and approval by their individual authorities.
Stockport Council Meetings to consider and vote on approval of GMSF 2020 to proceed to formal consultation are as follows:
- Economy and Regeneration Scrutiny: 5th November
- Council: 17th November
- Cabinet: 18th November
Please contact your local councillors if you wish to express your views at this stage.
Proposed Timeline
- November 2020 - Councillors from all ten Greater Manchester local authorities to be asked to consider and approve the plan
- December 1 2020 to January 26 2021 - Public consultation
- 2021 - Plan prepared for submission to Government
- 2021 - Public examination and approval by the Secretary of State
- 2022 - Greater Manchester Spatial Framework adopted
Woodford Neighbourhood Forum Update
The AGM was held on 17th September as a virtual meeting via Teams due to the Covid requirements for social distancing. Following the AGM there was an update, including the WNP Monitoring Report, GMSF, CEC Local Plan and Government consultations on proposed reforms to the planning system. You can view the presentation here.
The WNF Management Committee submitted a response to the Government consultation on the White Paper – Planning for the Future. The response included a background section to set the scene in Woodford and outline some of our experience with planning here. There is also a section outlining the advantages of local engagement and consultation in the planning system, based on our experience in Woodford. General concerns about the implications of the proposals are outlined in section 3. This is followed by a section that addresses the specific proposals and answers the questions asked in the consultation.
You can find the WNF response to the White Paper here.Three Whooper Swans/Herons
Three Whooper Swans were spotted on the seasonal pond adjacent to Church Lane in early October. According to the RSPB website “the Whooper Swan is mainly a winter visitor to the UK from Iceland, although a small number of pairs nest in the north. The estuaries and wetlands it visits on migration and for winter roosts need protection. Its winter population and small breeding numbers make it an Amber List species. It is a Schedule 1 listed bird”. Close up photograph courtesy of local bird watcher, Steve Collins.
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Last month, our own Vicar of Christ Church Woodford, the Reverend David Russel, spotted a group of herons near the footpath (1HGB) from Old Hall Lane to Woodford Lane. We were amused to note that the collective noun for a group of herons is a Congregation. It seems that the reverend is never off duty in gathering his flock.
Climate Change
In March 2019, Stockport Council declared a climate emergency and agreed to become carbon neutral by 2038. In order to meet the challenge, residents, businesses and community groups all need to play their part. The Council is asking for your views. Please respond to the consultation and Have Your Say by clicking on this link. Opened 31 Jul 2020. Closes 4 Sep 2020.
Poynton Relief Road
WCC has received a message from Daniel Cawthra MCIPR, who is the Stakeholder and Communications Officer for the Poynton Relief Road project, explaining that GRAHAM is the Principal Contractor appointed to complete the works associated with the Poynton Relief Road, which is being developed by Cheshire East Council, working in partnership with Stockport Council. Some works in the area will commence on Tuesday 4th August.
A letter from Alastair Lewis, Contracts Manager at GRAHAM attached to the message explains that enabling works due to take place from 4 August 2020 will include:
• Mobilisation and site establishment
• Environmental Mitigation for Great Crested Newts (GCN), Birds and Bats
• Site clearance
• Erect fencing around site boundary
• Archaeological Investigations
• Diversion of utilities
The main construction works are expected to commence from January 2021 and completed in the autumn of 2022.
The message states that, in order to minimise disruption to residents, noise and dust will be kept to a minimum, and that the site will rigorously adhere to Covid-19 social distancing regulations.
You will find more details and contact information in the letter from GRAHAM, which you can view or download as a PDF here, and the Poynton Relief Road Contact Card, which is also available as a PDF here.
No Waiting near Foden Lane
Stockport Council is proposing to introduce no waiting at any time along a section of Moor Lane around Foden Lane, from a point 10 meters north west of the intersection of the western kerb line of Foden Lane, to a point 16.5 meters south east of the intersection of the eastern kerb line of Foden Lane. The proposals and results of consultation were reported and approved at the Bramhall & Cheadle Hulme South Area Committee on 12th March 2020. You can find more information here.
Tracing Family History
WCC has received a message from Brian Jones who is trying to find out more information about his late father's aunt, Amy Wroe, who later became Amy Hall.
He has told us that her first husband, George Wroe, was a builder's merchant's clerk, living at 262, Fernleigh, Bramhall. Amy worked for the Red Cross in 1939. George died in 1953. Amy later married Percy Hall, (born in Dogs Hill Cottage), and lived in or around Blossoms Lane. She died in 1989 aged 102 in Stockport.
If you have any information that we could pass on to Brian, please let us know via our email address.
Woodford Footpaths - please see our dedicated footpaths page.
WNF update
Woodford Neighbourhood Forum (WNF) is now a consultee on planning applications in the Woodford Neighbourhood Area (all of Woodford except the aerodrome site). The forum management committee is invited to submit comments to Stockport Council on each planning application and our comments are considered when the council decides on whether to grant planning permission.
The WNF website has been updated http://woodfordnf.co.uk/. It now includes a table of planning applications and the WNF management committee comments submitted to the council. We will update this table regularly. You can find it on this link: http://woodfordnf.co.uk/planning-application-responses/
Anyone who lives or works in the neighbourhood area (all of Woodford except the aerodrome site) is welcome to become a member of the forum, which does not commit you to anything, but gives you a vote at the AGM. You can join here. We have archived our non-members mailing list, but if you would like to add you name to a new non-members list to receive occasional updates via email without becoming a forum member, you can contact us here.
Chester Rd, Woodford works (20th – 22nd July 2020)
Please be advised that contractors working on behalf of Transport for Greater Manchester will be undertaking works to recut detector loops on Chester Road, Woodford, between the junctions of Bridle Road and Chester Road, Poynton. These works are scheduled to take place from 20th July till 22nd July and will require the use of temporary two-way traffic signals between the hours of 10:00 and 15:00, as and when required.
News from SMBC May 2020 - Walk Ride groups launch Safe Streets Stockport website
Walk Ride groups in Stockport have launched a new consultation website, Safe Streets Stockport, to help the council identify locations where temporary changes on our roads and pavements are needed during the coronavirus crisis.
Rob Clark (on behalf of Stockport's Walk Ride Groups) says: "The response has been incredible: since launch yesterday, we’ve picked up over 400 comments and 850 agreements from across the borough. However, the spread is uneven, and there are very few comments in Bramhall and especially Woodford at the moment.
We would be grateful if you could use your social media channels to publicise the site. At the bottom of this email I have included links to the council’s press release, and related social media for Twitter and Facebook, though a message in your own words could be more effective.
We would also like to explore the possibility of using public notice locations to advertise the consultation to those who are less likely to spend time online. Unfortunately, we do not currently have a Walk Ride group in Bramhall or Woodford, so we need some help in making this happen".
Read the Council press release here.
Twitter here.
Facebook here.
Donate to WCC online or sponsor us
You can now donate to WCC via this Just Giving link. Donations will help us to:
- Continue to keep residents informed of development issues affecting the village (via e-newsletter and postal flyer).
- Update and maintain the WCC website.
Stockport’s Green Bin collection to start fortnightly service from Monday 11 May
We can confirm that the green bin service will start a fortnightly collection from Monday (11th May).
Residents should put their green bin out for collection on the same day that their black bins are usually collected, no later than 7am.
Please resume putting food waste in your green bin.
Cllr Sheila Bailey, Cabinet Member for Sustainable Stockport, said: “I am really pleased that we can restart Green Bin collection from Monday on a fortnightly basis and I know our residents will welcome the fact that we are collecting garden waste".
“Our workforce have done an incredible job under really difficult circumstances and I would like to thank them for their dedication and commitment, and also to residents for their understanding during these challenging times.”
Coronavirus (COVID-19) helpline launched for Stockport’s vulnerable people
Stockport Council has introduced a dedicated Coronavirus helpline for vulnerable people. It means that the most vulnerable people in Stockport will be able to access support Monday to Friday, from 9am to 5pm and on Saturdays from 10am to 4pm, by calling 0161 217 6046. The helpline will provide advice and tell you how you can access support. You can call the helpline if you do not have a network of family and friends you can call upon for support, particularly if:
- you are over the age of 70 and you are self-isolating
- you have received a letter from the NHS advising you are high risk and should stay at home
- you are medically vulnerable according to the government criteria and should stay at home.
Call handlers for the Council will then be able to provide advice about how you can access practical support including local support for those that are isolated and feel alone.
The Leader of Stockport Council, Cllr Elise Wilson, said: "I understand this is a worrying and difficult time for everyone as we all adapt our day to day lives in the face of the Coronavirus pandemic. “We’re working very hard to continue to provide essential services and to ensure our most vulnerable people are supported during the Coronavirus pandemic.
The COVID-19 Stockport Community Support Hotline will assist people to access what they need to help them stay safe and well, as well as signpost people to various levels of help and support for those who might not have access to support from other avenues."
Cllr Wilson added: “To ensure our most vulnerable people have access to this service, please only call the hotline if you do not have friends or family who can support you.”
The council also has a dedicated webpage which is regularly updated with all the key government advice, local service information and what to do if you think you have coronavirus. This is available at www.stockport.gov.uk/coronavirus
Notice Board
WCC notice board used to be at the bottom of the ramp in Budgeons, however it got damaged by a delivery vehicle and then annihilated by a car. Initially SMBC were helping us to get a quotation for a new one and we looked for a safer place for it to reside. In the end it took 5 years to get to a point when the quotation (thanks to Rev David Russel) was obtained, the position was approved by Budgeons and the planners and Redrow have offered to install it for us. So the Ward Flexibility Form was filled in and we are happy to say that I can confirm our application was considered by the Bramhall & Cheadle Hulme South Area Committee on Thursday, 12 March 2020.
We were given the full £444 that we needed.
We would like to thank our councillors Brian Bagnall, John McGahan and Mike Hurlston for their support.
Funding
Update
Woodford Community Council is funded by sponsorship and we thank Avro Heritage Museum and the Deanwater Hotel for their support. However to maintain our website and help to enable us to improve Woodford as stated in our new constitution; in harmony with Woodford Neighbourhood Forum, WCC shall promote and improve the social, economic and environmental well-being of Woodford by:
- Actively encouraging all the Members to participate in the activities of WCC for the improvement of Woodford.
- Encouraging the goodwill and involvement of the wider community.
- Fostering community spirit and encouraging civic pride.
We have plans to organise a garden party type event where the various community groups can introduce themselves to new and existing residents sometime in the summer. We are also looking to improve the pathways around Woodford for so that all can enjoy our beautiful country village. Should you know of anyone who might like to sponsor us please email info@woodfordcommunity.co.uk If you would like to donate money we have a just giving page; https://www.justgiving.com/crowdfunding/woodfordcommunity.
New Constitution
Background
Last year, the committee felt that a review of the WCC constitution was timely because Woodford has evolved and grown rapidly recently. After careful thought and scrutiny, the committee concluded that a few minor changes were needed to make it more inclusive and to bring it up to date.
In the revised constitution, all residents of Woodford who are aged 18 years or over are automatically members of the community council, which is run by the Management Committee. The role of WCC in facilitating liaison between residents and developers and promoting integration of old and new communities is included. It also acknowledges the formation of Woodford Neighbourhood Forum (WNF) and the preparation of the Woodford Neighbourhood Plan, which is now part of the Stockport Development Plan. It notes that the Community Council is working in harmony with WNF in aiming to promote and improve the social, economic and environmental well-being of Woodford by:
- Actively encouraging all the Members to participate in the activities of WCC for the improvement of Woodford.
- Encouraging the goodwill and involvement of the wider community.
- Fostering community spirit and encouraging civic pride.
WCC will also work with WNF in promoting implementation of the policies and aspirations, which arose from consultation with residents.
Since the number of volunteers prepared to sit on the committee has fallen, the quorum for meetings has been reduced from 6 to 5 and the minimum number of meetings per year has been reduced from 5 to 4.
We are pleased to report that the revised, more inclusive constitution was approved at the AGM in November 2019 and can be viewed here.
Future activities
We are exploring ideas for an event at the Woodford Community Centre where the various local community groups can introduce themselves to new and existing residents. We are also looking into any potential to improve the footpaths around Woodford so that the countryside in our beautiful rural village is more accessible for all.
Call for committee members
There are 15 places on the Management Committee and there are currently vacancies. We would like to invite anyone over the age of 18 living in Woodford to come to a meeting and see if they would like to get involved. Should you wish to find out more please send an email to: info@woodfordcommunity.co.uk.
Funding
Woodford Community Council is funded by sponsorship and we thank Avro Heritage Museum and The Deanwater Hotel for their continued support, which helps to maintain our website and support our activities. Should you know of anyone who might like to sponsor us please email: info@woodfordcommunity.co.uk If you would like to donate money we have a Just Giving page. Click here.
Protect yourself from burglary
Tips for improving security
Greater Manchester Police have an information pack which provides comprehensive information on measures you can take to help to protect your home from burglary. It can be found here.
Woodford Neighbourhood Plan is Made
95.8% said “Yes”
The WNF Management Committee is delighted to report that an overwhelming majority of voters voted Yes to the Woodford Neighbourhood Plan, so it will now be used by Stockport Council to help decide planning applications in the Woodford Neighbourhood Area.
In detail the results were:
- Number of eligible voters: 1171
- Number of votes cast: 452, which represents a 38.6% turn-out
- Number of Yes votes: 433 (95.8%)
- Number of No votes: 19 (4.2%)
- Number of rejected ballot papers: 0
We have done better than average with this result (data from MHCLG).
Over 750 successful neighbourhood planning referendums have taken place across the country.
- The average turnout is 32%
- The average ‘yes’ vote is 89%.
WNP is the first neighbourhood plan to be adopted in the borough of Stockport.
WNP is the second neighbourhood plan to be adopted in Greater Manchester (Standish in Wigan was the first).
You can view a flip-book version of the WNP here and a pdf version here.
The WNF Management Committee would like to thank Forum members, residents, local councillors (Brian Bagnall, John McGahan, Mike Hurleston and David Meller), council officers and our MP, Mary Robinson, for all their support and various contributions along the way.
This edition of the WCC Newsletter is dedicated to the memory of StephenTaylor, who initiated the Woodford Neighbourhood Plan project in 2013 and was our first chairman. He sadly died in 2014 and is very much missed by the Forum committee and the community.
Greater Manchester Spatial Framework (GMSF) FROM HERE DOWNWARDS TITLE ARCHIVE
Background
A spatial plan is being prepared by Greater Manchester Combined Authority for the whole Greater Manchester region, which comprises ten boroughs: Stockport, City of Manchester, Salford, Trafford, Wigan, Bury, Bolton, Oldham, Rochdale, and Tameside. GMSF will guide development across the region and also provide the context for the preparation of updated Local Plans by the ten individual authorities. Planning officers in each local authority have been assigned the task of preparing the draft and analysing the responses to consultation. In order to proceed, GMSF needs unanimous approval by the 10 boroughs.
Update
- The consultation on the revised GMSF closed on 18th March.
- The Greater Manchester Combined Authority GMCA reports that there were 20,000 responses.
- The response from WNF is here. Our MP Mary Robinson’s response is here.
- All responses will be made public online in due course.
- The responses will be analysed and a further draft GMSF is expected to be presented for public consultation in the autumn, when there will be another chance to have your say.
- This will be followed by a public examination of the draft GMSF by a Government Inspector, which will be another opportunity to submit comments. Stakeholders will be invited to make representations at the examination.
- Any amendments required will be made by the GMCA, the final GMSF will be approved by the Inspector and adopted by GMCA. GMCA expect to be at this stage by the end 2020, but many experts predict that the timescale will be longer.
SGMGB was formed in 2017 to give residents a combined voice after widespread public outcry at the proposed Green Belt losses around the region. It is a fully constituted body, with 48 member community groups, including Woodford, and has gained acceptance as a stakeholder in the development of GMSF.
- Andy Burnham and Anne Morgan (lead planner with GMCA) accepted an invitation to attended a meeting on 2nd February 2019 for two representatives from each component community and answer their questions.
- Several suggestions were submitted by Woodford, including a shorter plan period to avoid inclusion of Green Belt sites and robust policies to enforce the use of previously developed land first.
- SGMBG submitted a response to the consultation on the revised draft GMSF on behalf of all the component groups, including Woodford.
North Cheshire Garden Village (NCGV)
Background
NCGV was named as one of the Government’s fourteen flagship garden villages in 2017 and is one of the sites for development in the Cheshire East Local Plan which was approved in July 2017, despite opposition from residents and their elected representatives in surrounding areas, who raised concerns including Green Belt loss, overdevelopment in the local area and exacerbation of traffic congestion. It occupies a large site formerly in Green Belt between the western boundary of Woodford, the A555 and the A34 bypass. Although part of the site was previously developed as an RAF base in the 1940s, it has been colonised by nature and now provides habitats for protected species. Part of the site was designated as a Local Wildlife Site by Cheshire Wildlife Trust in 2016. The development proposals include 1,650 new homes, commercial premises and a school in a garden village style setting.
Update
- The Government has announced that it will provide more than £21 million to develop infrastructure for the garden village.
- The Government has also provided £150,000 of funding to Handforth to help develop plans for the new garden village.
- Master plans were exhibited in January and a hybrid planning application was submitted to Cheshire East Council in May, comprising two parts:
(1) Outline planning application for preparation and building.
(2) Full planning application for initial preparation and infrastructure.
Join us to fight the Green Belt Grab!
Save Woodford’s Green Belt is an informal group of residents, formed around the members of Woodford Community Council, Woodford Neighbourhood Forum and the Woodford War Memorial Community Centre, dedicated to fighting the declassification of Woodford’s Green Belt. It is a partner in Save Greater Manchester Greenbelt, an umbrella association representing over 30 local Save the Greenbelt groups across Greater Manchester. It supports housing on Brownfield sites and seeks to protect all Green Belt for future generations. It is a formally constituted organisation. You can view its Facebook page here.
You can visit “Save Woodford’s Green Belt” Facebook page here and post comments to let us know your views on GMSF.
Rally to Save Greater Manchester’s Green Belt
On Saturday, 1st April 2017, Woodford residents joined people from all over Greater Manchester to protest against the GMSF plans to build on vast swathes of Green Belt land across the region. Some 1,500 people gathered in front of Manchester Town Hall to remind the Greater Manchester Combined Authority, prospective mayoral candidates and local councillors of their vigorous opposition to these proposals, which they believe were based on flawed population forecasts and inadequate use of previously developed sites.
Help to prepare for Round 3 in the campaign to save Woodford’s Green Belt
In order that we are prepared when the revised GMSF documents are published sometime later this year, we are particularly looking for residents or close supporters who have expertise in the following:
- Press and PR
- Journalism and broadcast media
- Relevant local government experience
- Detailed analysis of technical documents
- Fund raising
If this could be you, or indeed if you are just enthusiastic to contribute, then please contact us on info@woodfordcommunity.co.uk to make our team more effective.
Statement on the Greater Manchester Spatial Framework
A joint statement on behalf of the Stockport Labour Group, The Stockport Conservative Group, The Independent Ratepayers Group and the Stockport Residents Group has been issued following the meeting of Stockport Council held on 19th January 2017. Click here for the full statement.
Save the Green Belt Walk
This Protest walk, organised by the Save Stockport’s Greenbelt group took place on Saturday, 14th January 2017. Hundreds of Stockport residents joined in, converging on the Town Hall for a spirited rally in defence of our Green Belt.
For further information and more photos, click here.
Save Our Greenbelt
This protest walk was organised by High Lane residents, who have set up a very active Facebook group, which can be accessed here.
Alternatively for those without Facebook, visit the Save Stockport’s Greenbelt website here.
Proposals rip the green heart out of Woodford
Details emerged on 20th October of plans to take 238 hectares (nearly 600 acres) of Green Belt out of the heart of Woodford to make way for 2,400 new homes. The area to be removed from Green Belt is shown in pink in the map below. It is a large area on either side of Chester Road, bounded by Old Hall Lane, the Aerodrome and Bridle Road in the south and by Church Lane, Moor Lane, Jenny Lane and Woodford Road in the north.
Greater Manchester Spatial Framework (GMSF) – Woodford Opportunity Area shown in pink.
NB Click here to open a full size version of the map.
This is part of a new joint plan for the whole of Greater Manchester (Greater Manchester Spatial Framework), which proposes to take large areas of land out of Green Belt across Greater Manchester to make way for new homes plus commercial development and the infrastructure to support it. The draft plan has been devised by council executives and officers representing each of the 10 boroughs in Greater Manchester. It has been two years in the making and there have been two rounds of informal consultation, but elected councillors and MPs have only recently seen the details of the draft plan. The combined authority leaders reviewed the draft plan on 28th October and voted in favour of proceeding to consultation on the proposal from 31st October to 23rd December.
The proposals will remove large areas of land from Green Belt in neighbouring communities in Greater Manchester as well. The following map illustrates the potential cumulative effect of Cheshire East Council and GMSF proposals within a short radius of Woodford.
NB Click here to open a full size version of the map.
Further information and the draft GMSF document can be found via the GMSF website. Click on the link to the documents, then on Draft GMSF October 2016 Consultation in the table and then Read and Comment on Document. Information relating specifically to Woodford can be found in Section 28 Allocations, Subsection 28.8 Other Allocations and finally 28.8.20 Woodford. Paper copies can be viewed at Stockport Town Hall and Bramhall Library.
Cheshire East Local Plan – Revised Local Plan Strategy Consultation
Cheshire East Council’s (CEC) Local Plan has major implications for Woodford. It would leave Woodford surrounded by some 5,000 new homes within two miles of Woodford Church. This includes the already planned 920 homes to be built on the ex-BAe Woodford aerodrome site. The developments will result in massive incursions into the Green Belt in Poynton and Handforth.
This map shows the extent of the proposals:
Red sites, 1, 2 and 3 are the sites CEC proposes for development for 1,950 dwellings. Yellow sites 4, 5 and 6 are CEC proposed safeguarded land for future development, which could result in a further 1,350 dwellings (at 30 per hectare). Sites 7, 9 and 10 are approved and building is in progress: 145 homes in Woodford, 175 homes, plus a 108 unit Care Village in Handforth and 204 homes in Wilmslow. Site 8 is owned by Harrow Estates and the subject of an outline planning application for a further 775 homes and a 100 unit Care Home. In addition, there will no doubt be further plans for housing on the MOD site, within site 1 next to Total Fitness, scheduled for closure and redevelopment in 2022.
More details, including a larger scale map may be downloaded here.
The Consultation ended on 19th April 2016 but the CEC revised local plan and comments submitted can still be seen by clicking here and scrolling down to ‘Read document and view comments’.
Specific responses submitted by Woodford Neighbourhood Forum, Cheadle MP Mary Robinson, local ward councillors and SMBC can be found on the links below. It is disappointing to see that the response submitted by SMBC differs markedly from the views of Woodford residents and indeed of our elected councillors, particularly with regard to justification for removal of land from Green Belt.
Woodford Neighbourhood Forum’s response
Local councillors’ response (Brian Bagnall, Mike Hurleston and John McGahan)
MP Mary Robinson’s response
SMBC response
Last Ever Vulcan Flypast
The last flying Vulcan, XH558, soon to be retired, made her last flight over Woodford on Saturday 10th October.
All 136 Vulcans were manufactured at Woodford so this was a most poignant moment in the history of aviation.
For further information, click here.
Exhibition - Vision for the Future of Woodford
On Saturday 13th and Sunday 14th June 2015 Woodford Neighbourhood Forum organised an exhibition to provide a review of the work that has been undertaken to date in developing the proposed Neighbourhood Plan. Members of the WNF Management Committee were on hand to answer questions and discuss the various matters raised. Approximately 150 residents and visitors from neighbouring areas attended the exhibitions over the two days, including Cheadle MP Mary Robinson and local councillors Brian Bagnall and Mike Hurleston. Click here to access further information on the WNF website.
News Archive
To discover a selection of past news items and information regarding Woodford and our community in our archives - click here.