The campaign to save Heaton Park from the “Sport Zone” proposals has been making the press this week.

Here’s the piece in the Advertiser.

And here’s the piece in the Prestwich & Whitefield Guide.

The Manchester rock band “Oasis” will be performing in Heaton Park on Thursday 4th, Saturday 6th and Sunday 7th June 2009 in probably the largest events the park has seen since the visit of Pope John Paul II in 1982.

Local residents are understandably very concerned about the impact of the concert on our local area. Your local councillors have already been involved in advanced planning for the event, which will look at all the local issues - buses, traffic, schools, noise, crime, litter etc. We want the events to be a success, but Prestwich people need to live with it too!

The following letter is being delivered to local residents shortly (from Manchester City Council), it is advertising two surgeries which will take place:

Tuesday, 5th May from15:00-19:00hrs at Heaton Park Bowls Complex (St Margaret’s Rd entrance)
Wednesday, 6th May from 15:00-19:00hrs at Parkside Training Centre (Sheepfoot Lane)

Dear Local Resident,

Read the rest of this entry.

A public exhibition is to take place on Tuesday 24 March 2009 at the Farm Centre in Heaton Park to show local people the proposed plans for a proposed new sports facilities in Heaton Park (in the area nearest to Bury Old Road / St Margaret’s Road).

The proposal is for a “purpose built all-weather centre, which would include:
- 13 small-sided football pitches
- 2 multi-use games areas
- new pavillion with shower and changing facilities, meeting rooms and sports cafe
- climbing wall
- cage soccer
- skate park”
The facility is proposed to be built and operated by Goals Soccer Centres (this is their website), and apparently over 60% of the time will be made available for community groups free of charge. Also we are told that the FA and Sport England endorsed facilities will be available for use on a pay-per-use basis, rather than a membership fee.

Although the park is in Manchester, and therefore decisions are by Manchester City Council, we should make our voice heard as local Prestwich residents.

What do you think about the proposals - please let us know so we can best represent you.

Tim

There are a number of things that are planned for the parts of Heaton Park nearest to our part of Prestwich, which will be coming for decision over the coming months. As your local Councillors, we need to know what you think, and what your concerns are, so that we can best represent you. Heaton Park is part of Manchester City Council, so it will be them making any decisions, but we can still let our views be known.

Heaton Hall
Manchester City Council embarked on a major project to restore Heaton Park in 1996 when the Council approved the Regeneration Strategy for Heaton Park. A bid to fund the third phase of this project, the restoration of Heaton Hall, was submitted to the Heritage Lottery Fund and Manchester CC is waiting to hear on the outcome of this bid.
If succesfull the project would:
-Conserve and repair the external fabric of the whole building;
-conserve the historic interiors and contents of the central core and east wing of the Hall;
-undertake modest improvements to the interior of the derelict west wing to allow public access with associated interpretation;
-provide improved visitor facilities such as reception, shop and accessible toilets;
-provide a more appealing platform to attract funding to develop the interior of the west wing and the Orangery.

It would be estimated that the Hall would close in 2010 and reopen in 2013.

Creation of a new Sports Zone, St Margaret’s Gate Entrance

Plans are coming to Manchester Council’s Planning Committee before the summer for a “Sports Zone” near to the St Margaret’s Entrance of the Park. This would build on the existing Bowling Greens (created for the Commonwealth Games).

The proposed Sports Zone would include:
· 5-a-side pitches
· 7-a-side pitch
- Tennis Courts
· Spectator area
· Climbing wall
· Single storey pavilion comprising changing rooms, meeting rooms and bar
· Car parking

It would be run by a private company (ie there would be a charge for using the facilities normally, however it is proposed that it is made available for community use at non-peak times with free access for under 16 year olds. We’re also assured that there will be no activity after 9.00pm at night.

The project is still at the planning stage and a public consultation exercise will take place in the Farm Centre, Heaton Park within the next 2 months following which the Planning Application will be submitted. (I will let people know when I have a date for this.)

What do you think?
Please let me, Vic and Wilf know what you think about these plans:
GOOD POINTS: good local sports facilities; things for young people to do; community use and free for under 16 year olds
POINTS WHICH PEOPLE MIGHT WORRY ABOUT: traffic issues, particularly on the bottom end of St Margarets Road; parking issues (St Margarets Road & Close etc); using a previously open access part of the park for new activities.

Please let me know if you have any further queries at this stage.

Tim

People who live in the Polefield area are to a meeting of the Polefield Community Group Meeting on Tuesday 24th Feb 09 6.30-7.30pm at Heaton Park Primary School.

The Agenda
Housing related Issues
Antisocial Behaviour issues
Talk to your local Councillor
Have a chat with your local PCSO’s / Police officer
Vote in the committee so we can continue the good work
Give ideas on how we can improve the environment.
What funding should we apply for next? Help us to decide.

For more information please contact Claire Delaney from 6 Town Housing on 0161 686 8000

Following a request from the new Sandwich Shop at 361 Bury Old Road, the Council is to introduce two “30 minutes only” parking bays on the south side of Heys Road just next to Bury Old Road.

Local residents have been consulted and no objections have been received. Traffic Officers have looked at the site and consider that there is enough space and capacity to have these limited waiting spaces here.

Please get in touch for more information.

Tim

Sally Pickup, from Holyrood Nursery in Prestwich, brought home the ‘Chef of the Year’ award at the prestigious Nursery Management Today Nursery Awards 2008.

Konnie Huq presented the award to Sally Pickup at the awards ceremony which took place at the Hilton Metropole Hotel in London on 28 November.

Sally has been tempting toddlers’ taste buds for fifteen years; she has worked as a qualified chef at the nursery since it opened in April 1993. Her winning menu of ‘cous cous and roasted vegetables with tomato and herb sauce, followed by oaty apple crumble and custard’ was taken straight from the weekly menu.

Holyrood Nursery look after 85 children aged from three months to five years and are funded by the Nursery Education Fund, which offers free childcare for three and four years olds.

Back in the summer your local Lib Dem Councillors brought the problem of graffiti in Prestwich to the attention of Bury Council. As many local people will know we have some terrible stretches of graffiti, mostly in a few areas such as the Village centre, Sedgley Park and on our own side of Prestwich in the area around Heaton Park metro and up Bury Old Road.

When we raised the issue in the summer we were asked to let the Council know the problem areas so that they could clean the graffiti up. Some excellent work has been done, particularly by our local Police and our local Prestwich Area Manager, but the worst of the graffiti is still ruining our area.

All the Graffiti we reported in the summer is still there - so I put my camera to good use all nine Prestwich Lib Dem Councillors took the issue straight to the town hall! I’ve been asked to send in the images to the Council for them to take action - so watch this space!

Prestwich Lib Dem Councillors at Bury Town Hall for a Full Council meeting. l-r Wilf Davison, Vic D’Albert, Ann Garner, Donal O’Hanlon, Steve Wright, Tim Pickstone, Mary D’Albert, Andrew Garner and Richard Baum

And just some of the graffit:

Heaton Street

Kenyon Lane

Bailey Street

Greater Manchester Passenger Transport Authority are currently consulting local residents on moving two bus stops in our area:

Heywood Road/Thonley Road Bus Stop NC0756
Due to traffic calming it is proposed to move the bus stop from its current location outside 321 Heywood Road, to outside 309 Heywood Road.

Simister Lane/M60 Bust Stop NC0759
Due to traffic calming it is proposed to move the bus stop from its current location outside 2 Simister Lane to outside 10 Simister Lane.

Please get in touch if you have views on these proposals so that I can make representations to the PTA.

Thanks

Tim

A special meeting of the Prestwich Local Area Partnership will take place on 16 October where the new plans for the regeneration of Prestwich town centre we be formally launched.

The council has teamed up with urban designers, URBED, and regeneration specialists, AGD, to prepare the ‘Love Prestwich Village: Town Centre Development Strategy’.

The strategy describes how Prestwich can be transformed into a thriving ‘village in the city’. It considers how a new primary care centre, a new library and a refurbished Longfield Suite could combine to create a community hub at the heart of the village.

As well as the Big Talk at the Local Area Partnership meeting these plans will be subject to a six week consultation, which begins on 29 September.

The meeting will take place at the Longfield Civic Suite, starting at 7pm. The exhibition outlining the proposals for the regeneration of Prestwich will be on view from 6pm. For further information about the Prestwich Local Area Partnership meeting please contact Carran O’Grady on 0161 253 7245.

Councillor Vic D’ Albert, Chair of Prestwich Local Area Partnership, said, “The plans provide a vision for the regeneration of Prestwich over the next ten to fifteen years. I hope as many people as possible will come along to the Big Talk event to let us know what they think, view the plans and learn more about the consultation process”.

Planning Applications received in August 2008 for Holyrood Ward. More information here.

Application Number: 50346
Registration Date: 14/08/2008
Ward Name: Prestwich - Holyrood
Location: 33 GLEBELANDS ROAD, PRESTWICH, M25 1WE
Proposal: RESIDENTIAL DEVELOPMENT - 14 APARTMENTS WITH 14 CAR PARKING SPACES AND LANDSCAPING
Case Officer: Helen Longworth
Decision: This case has not yet been decided
Appeal Received Date: This case has no appeals against it

Application Number: 50361
Registration Date: 07/08/2008
Ward Name: Prestwich - Holyrood
Location: 32 ST JOSEPHS AVENUE, WHITEFIELD, M45 6NT
Proposal: TWO STOREY EXTENSION AT REAR
Case Officer: Janet Ingham
Decision: This case has not yet been decided
Appeal Received Date: This case has no appeals against it

Application Number: 50352
Registration Date: 05/08/2008
Ward Name: Prestwich - Holyrood
Location: 7 PARKWOOD COTTAGES, OLD HALL LANE, SIMISTER, PRESTWICH, M25 2SL
Proposal: GARAGE EXTENSION
Case Officer: Janet Ingham
Decision: This case has not yet been decided
Appeal Received Date: This case has no appeals against it

Application Number: 50284
Ward Name: Prestwich - Holyrood
Location: 3 DROUGHTS FARM COTTAGE, DROUGHTS LANE, SIMISTER, M25 2ST
Proposal: FIRST FLOOR/TWO STOREY EXTENSION AT SIDE; FRONT PORCH
Case Officer: Tom Beirne
Decision: This case has not yet been decided
Appeal Received Date: This case has no appeals against it

Application Number: 50267
Registration Date: 17/07/2008
Ward Name: Prestwich - Holyrood
Location: 125 HEYWOOD OLD ROAD, MIDDLETON M24 4QL
Proposal: TWO STOREY SIDE EXTENSION; REAR EXTENSION AT BASEMENT, GROUND AND FIRST FLOOR LEVELS; CREATION OF TERRACE AT GROUND FLOOR LEVEL AT REAR
Case Officer: Amanda Uhunmwagho
Decision: This case has not yet been decided
Appeal Received Date: This case has no appeals against it

Application Number: 49959
Registration Date: 08/07/2008
Ward Name: Prestwich - Holyrood
Location: 57 KENILWORTH AVENUE, WHITEFIELD, M45 6TR
Proposal: SINGLE STOREY REAR EXTENSION
Case Officer: Amanda Uhunmwagho
Decision: Approve with Conditions
Appeal Received Date: This case has no appeals against it

Application Number: 50225
Registration Date: 04/07/2008
Ward Name: Prestwich - Holyrood
Location: 4 ARUNDEL AVENUE, WHITEFIELD, M45 6TZ
Proposal: TWO STOREY SIDE EXTENSION, SINGLE STOREY REAR EXTENSION AND NEW FRONT PORCH
Case Officer: Jennie Townsend
Decision: This case has not yet been decided
Appeal Received Date: This case has no appeals against it

Application Number: 50220
Registration Date: 04/07/2008
Ward Name: Prestwich - Holyrood
Location: 63 CUCKOO LANE, WHITEFIELD, M45 6WD
Proposal: SINGLE STOREY EXTENSION AT THE REAR
Case Officer: Amanda Uhunmwagho
Decision: Approve with Conditions
Appeal Received Date: This case has no appeals against it

Application Number: 50208
Registration Date: 03/07/2008
Ward Name: Prestwich - Holyrood
Location: 21 ST MARGARETS ROAD, PRESTWICH, M25 2GT
Proposal: SINGLE STOREY EXTENSION AT SIDE/REAR
Case Officer: Jennie Townsend
Decision: Approve with Conditions
Appeal Received Date: This case has no appeals against it

Application Number: 50140
Registration Date: 02/07/2008
Ward Name: Prestwich - Holyrood
Location: LAND OFF POPPYTHORN LANE, PRESTWICH
Proposal: DEMOLITION OF EXISTING GARAGES AND ERECTION OF 12 NO. DWELLINGS (RESUBMISSION)
Case Officer: Helen Longworth
Decision: This case has not yet been decided
Appeal Received Date: This case has no appeals against it

Application Number: 50181
Registration Date: 01/07/2008
Ward Name: Prestwich - Holyrood
Location: 47 PARRENTHORN ROAD, PRESTWICH, M25 2RH
Proposal: TWO STOREY SIDE AND REAR EXTENSIONS AND NEW FRONT PORCH
Case Officer: Janet Ingham
Decision: This case has not yet been decided
Appeal Received Date: This case has no appeals against it

Application Number: 49895
Registration Date: 01/07/2008
Ward Name: Prestwich - Holyrood
Location: 27 HOLYROOD GROVE, PRESTWICH, M25 1PG
Proposal: SINGLE STOREY EXTENSION AT FRONT AND SIDE
Case Officer: Jane Langan
Decision: Approve with Conditions
Appeal Received Date: This case has no appeals against it

Local residents have been angered by the recent rise in graffiti that has affected parts of our local area. Many areas are affected, but particularly the Heaton Park and village centre areas.

Local Councillor Tim Pickstone has asked the Council to review its policy on cleaning up graffiti. “The amount of graffiti that we’re experiencing around here is terrible and spoiling what should be an attractive area . Clearly the current council policy isn’t working - something has to be done.” A two page list of graffiti sites has been submitted.

Your local Councillors have been working with schools, the Police and to identify who is responsible for the graffit and to clean it up. Prestwich Local Area Partnerhsip has also invested in some “Graffiiti Cleaning Kits” which are available to local people.

Some local people have been angered by letters sent out by the Council “demanding” that they clean up graffiti on their own properties. Cllr Vic D’Albert has asked the Council to change this policy, as it is causing upset for residents who are not responsible for the problem.
To report graffiti in your area:

Bury Council: 0161 253 5353

If graffiti is on a phone box or switching box
BT 0800 661 610

If graffiti is on a post box
Royal Mail 08457 740 740

Let your councillors know if you don’t get a satisfactory response!

BAAS Construction Ltd are commencing work soon on re-roofing many of the houses on the Polefield Estate. Re-roofing works to include new soffits, fascias, rainwater pipes, guttering, renewal of slate tiles and roof insulation.

Here are the details:
Commencement Date/Site Set-up - 25th August 2008
Completion date - 13 week contract
Site Foreman - Andy Jordan
Tenant Liaison Officer - BAAS - Helen Cooper
Capital Project Officer - Joanne McCabe
Emergency telephone number - Bradley Fold 0161 253 6606
BAAS Emergency Out Of Hours 0800 294 4770
Site Compound - corner of Polefield Hall Road/Polefield Circle
Site Office - 12 Polefield Grange

There is a special offer at our local Parenthorn Sports Centre (at Parenthorn School).

All throughout July and August you can book an Astro-Turf Football Pitch for just £15 per hour. (The usual price is £25) Monday - Thursday 6-10 and Friday 6-9pm.
FOR MORE INFOMATION PLEASE RING 0161 253 5434 (AFTER 5:30PM)
EMAIL: parrenthorn.sports@bury.gov.uk

Please don’t forget to vote in the important local elections on Thursday 1 May 2008. These elections will decide who will represent you at the Council for the next four years.

Vic D’Albert, our hard working local councillor for the last 17 years is the Liberal Democrat Focus Team candidate on Thursday.

Important Information
- Polling Stations are open from 7.00am - 10.00pm
- You don’t need your polling card to vote
- If you have a postal ballot, but have not yet sent it in, you can complete it as normal and take the completed envelope to your local polling station on the day.

Polling Stations in Holyrood
Baguley Crescent and Bow Lea - Mobile Van at Baguley Crescent
Simister - Lady Wilton Hall
Polefield, Parenthorn and St Margarets areas - St Margarets CE Centre on St Margarets Road
Heaton Park Area - Heaton Park Social Club, Bury Old Road
Northern area - Nursery Road, Glebelands Road, Langley etc - Prestwich Arts College, Heys Road
“Kirkhams” area (M45 postcodes) - Heaton Park School on Cuckoo Lane

If you need any more information, or need a lift to the polling station call our helpline on 0161 798 0117

Thank you!

Prestwich, April 2008

Dear Neighbour

It’s been my honour to be one of your local councillors for the last 17 years.

Over the years I’ve had the chance to meet and work with many local people on issues that concern you, and working to make this area a better place to live.

Mary and I have chosen to bring up our family in this area and, like you, I care passionately about the future of our community.

Please join me in my campaign to make the Holyrood Ward a thriving and sustainable place for us all.

Cllr Vic D’Albert

PS - Please remember your vote won’t count until its in the ballot box! Polling stations are open on Thursday 1 st May 2008 7am-10pm. If you have a postal vote this must be sent in before 1 May, or handed in at a polling station on 1 st May.
Contact Vic: email: vic@burylibdems.net - phone 0161 773 9905

Five Great Reasons for Voting for Vic D’Albert
1 - Local Candidate
Vic has lived in Prestwich for 25 years and our local councillor for 17 years - he’s the local choice for Holyrood Ward.

2 - Hard Working 
Vic works hard all year round and keeps in touch all year round with “FOCUS” - not just at election time like the others.

3 - Prestwich First
21 years of neglect when Labour ran Bury - local Lib Dems are now delivering more facilities, safer roads and more money for street cleaning.

4 - Environment
Local Lib Dems delivered on Blue Bins for every house last year, and have now secured more money for parks and litter enforcement.

5 - Lib Dems Listen!
Your local Lib Dems listen to local people and take your views seriously. We’ve secured money for a top level public consultation on the future of Prestwich Village.

Many residents will be aware about the discussions that have been taking place around the development of play facilities in the area of the Holyrood Ward to the East of Bury Old Road (Polefield, Parenthorn, Cuckoo Lane areas etc). At present there are no play facilities at all anywhere between the younger children play area on Bailey Street (near Heaton Park Metrolink) and Simister.

Many residents have raised this as a concern with their local councillors and we have been campaigning for the money to change this. This money has now been made available.

Original Plan

The origional plan (which is now not proposed) was to construct three play areas on the grounds of Heaton Park County Primary School on Cuckoo Lane (one for Under 5s, one for slightly older children, and a “ball zone” for teenagers).

We have held extensive consultations with residents who live nearby to the school, and also with parents and children at the school. It very quickly became clear that there were major security problems around the back of the school playing fields which is causing nuisance to local residents. Understandably, local people were concerned that the plans would make the issue worse, not better!

We have listened to these concerns and the plans have now been changed:

Current Proposals

The current proposal is in three parts:

Firstly, we propose to invest money (both money from the Local Area Partnership and the School will invest some money) to make the fencing around the school and the school playing fields more secure to reduce trespassing and nuisance to local residents. In addition a CCTV camera will be installed to monitor the area.

Seondly, we propose to build only one play area on the School site - this will be a play area for small children (under 5’s) and will only be locked after around 6.30pm by the School Caretaker. This will also be monitored by the CCTV scheme to make sure that the area isn’t abused.

 Play area plan - click to see larger image

Thirdly, we propose to build a “ball zone” for older children on the grounds of Parenthorn High School further up Heywood Road. Plans for this are at an early stage.

The Local Area Partnership has agreed all the necessary funding for these three schemes, but at the request of your local Councillors this funding has been agreed subject to further consultation with local residents and the two schools concerned. We want to make sure that the schemes are exactly right for the area and will only proceed when local people, including local children and young people are happy with the proposals.

Please don’t hesitate to get in touch if you need to know more.

Tim, Vic and Wilf

Tuesday night was the regular meeting of Prestwich Local Area Partnership. This is the meeting that brings together your local councillors, key partners like the police, fire and NHS and appointed community representatives. The meeting, which took place in Sedgley Park School on King’s Road, was also very well attended by members of the public.

A number of important issues were considered:

Grants

The Local Area Partnership is given some relatively small amounts of money to grant to local groups and projects. As this was the last meeting of the year a large number of grants were considered by the meeting which I’ve listed in a separate posting below. The variety of the bids and projects was really impressive this year - its excellent that the Area Partnership can support so many excellent community initiatives.

Three of the largest grants across the whole of Prestwich were for our area (Holyrood Ward), all relating to addressing the issue of lack of play facilities (see separate posting).

Updates from Partner Organisations

The Partnership received updates from partner organisations like the Police, Fire and NHS. The new Divisional Commander of Bury was also present at the meeting, as were representatives of the local Magistrates.

Issues from Members of the Public

An “open forum” is provided for members of the public to raise issues of concern. There was significant discussion about the major nuisance caused by illegal use of quadbikes - not just in streets but also in the Prestwich Forest Park area. The Partnership and the Police agreed to take these matters forward. Some money is remaining in the budget for this year we agreed that we would look to see if a project on this issue was possible.

It was good to hear some good news from residents of Highfield Road, who continue to suffer from non-residents parking in this narrow street. Further meetings are being held, but some of the simple measures (like moving a sign and talking to business owners) have been having some effect.

Prestwich Village Strategy

The main item at the Area Partnership was a presentation from the planning consultants that the Council have appointed to look at the future of the Prestwich Village area. Your local Lib Dem Councillors have been campaigning for years to this work to happen and its great that it has finally started.

The planners (the company is called “URBED”) gave a fascinating presentation about Prestwich Village, the problems it faces and also the many good things we have in our favour. The area was compared to other simiar “villages in the city” that are a similar distance to Manchester City Centre (Sale, Chorlton, Didsbury) and the company have been looking at how they have dealt with similar issues.

There are some excellent ideas being brought forward which are exciting and challenging.

URBED are holding a number of events over the coming months and a major consultation over the coming months. You can find out more about about the URBED study at their special website . A special consultation workshop - open to all - is on 13 March 2008 - check the website for more details.

Please get in touch if you need to know more about any of the above.

Tim 

A new planning application has been received which is within Holyrood Ward of Prestwich as detailed below:-

Application number: 49582         Type of application: Full         Date Registered: 20/02/2008

Applicant: J D Homes Limited
Location: 128 Simister Lane, Prestwich, Manchester M25 2SH
Proposal: DEMOLITION OF EXISTING DWELLING AND ERECTION OF REPLACEMENT DWELLING TOGETHER WITH REVISED ACCESS AND CAR PARKING.

Should you require further details please contact the case officer: John Cummins on: 0161 253 6089 or reply acces the Councils web site E-planning pages at www.bury.gov.uk.

For assistance on how to comment on applications or if you want to raise issues please don’t hesitate to contact your local councillors.

A number of local residents, and the Governors of St Margaret’s CoE Primary, have raised concerns about the visibility (particularly night time visibility) of the “priority restriction” (chicane) near Heywood Roa near Parrenthorn Road.

I have raised this issue with the Traffic Management section of the Local Authority.

It has now been confirmed that the Council are going to install some additional hazard markers on the build outs at the priority restriction which are highly retroreflective to give better visibility at night. Additional white hatch markings on the road are also going to be provided to help guide motorists through the priority restriction. An additional yellow backed retroreflective sign warning motorists to reduce their speed due to the narrowing of the road is to be introduced prior to the restriction for motorists travelling in an easterly direction to give plenty of advanced warning of the priority restriction ahead.

In additional the street lighting department have been approached street lighting to see if they can upgrade the street lighting units around both the priority restrictions on Heywood Road. Apparently United Utilities have not yet provided the electrical connections for the priority restriction signs yet which legally should be illuminated! - but that this will happen soon.

Other discussions around parking near the chicane are also being undertaken.

More news to follow, but just to reassure residents that the issue is in hand.

Tim

A new planning application has been received which is within Holyrood Ward of Prestwich as detailed below:-

Should you require further details please contact the case officer: Helen Longworth on: 0161 253 5322 or contact your local councillors who will be happy to advise or represent your views.

On Wednesday afternoon I attended a drop-in consultation session at Heaton Park County Primary school on Cuckoo Lane.

There are proposals to create some children’s play areas along the front of the school (on the Cuckoo Lane side) and we wanted to make sure that local residents had the chance to let us know what they thought.

An earlier proposal for a “ball zone” for older children has already been dropped as being too much for the area.

There were a number of very valid concerns raised about the proposals:
- that the facilities would attract unwelcome groups of young people to the area
- concerns about parking and traffic
- concerns that the facilities would make trespassing on the fields behind the school worse not better.

Some people welcomed the plans, particularly as it would be a good facility for the local school (who would have use in the day).

Council Officers are going to analyse the responses and will be getting back to local councillors on the results.

Liberal Democrats have revealed shocking plans from the Labour Government to close local post offices.

The Government has announced that another 2,500 post offices are to close in a devastating blow that will mean that another six post offices are set to be closed in Bury alone. This is in adidtion to the 19 post offices that have already closed in Bury since 1999 under the Labour Government.

What’s more - the Lib Dems have revealed that the Government and Post Office are deliberately putting back the closures until after the council elections in May 2008! (see letter from the Post Office below).

Local Lib Dem Councillor Vic D’Albert and his Lib Dem colleagues led the defence of our local post offices when they got Bury Council to agree a policy in favour of saving our post offices late last year.
Vic D’Albert said: “Post Offices are at the heart of our local community and provide many vital services. In recent years we’ve already lost two post offices in Prestwich (on Whittaker Lane and down near Danesway in Sedgley) - surely they can’t expect us to close more!”

Local Lib Dems demand:
• Halt the Post Office branch closure programme;
• Stop removing Government business from Post Offices;
• Find additional Government functions could be carried out through Post Offices;

Take Action today!
We need to take action to ensure we don’t lose our vital local post offices in Prestwich.

Join Vic and the local Lib Dems in saving our local post offcices by returning our “Save Our Post Offices” petition currently being distributed throughout Holyrood Ward.

Last night was the regular meeting of the “Local Area Partnership” in Prestwich. This is the body that brings together your local councillors, together with partner agencies (health, police, schools, voluntary sector etc) and community reps.

We received an update on some of the important work that the Partnership is involved in to improve our local community:

Cllr Donal O’Hanlonreported on the work of the Town Centre Working Group. This group is looking at how we develop the Prestwich town (or “village”) centre. The Council is paying for a study to be undertaken over the coming nine months which will hopefully ensure we have a clear plan for a better village centre.

I clarified that traffic would be considered in the study as well as redevelopment (yes!), and also that we find ways to consult with everyone who lives in Prestwich, not just those in the Village area.

Cllr Ann Garner reported on the important work around Developing Communities. Prestwich has been given some money to improve the community in the some of areas of Prestwich that perhaps need money most (Rainsough and Polefield have been identified first off). Improved community facilities, and hopefully a children’s centre outreach are planned for Rainsough, and we’re looking at more facilities for young people in Polefield.

Two main issues were raised by members of the public. The first was around the Whittaker Lane shopping area, although just outside our ward, the facilities on Whittaker Lane (apparently the oldest shopping area in Prestwich!) are used by many of us. Shopkeepers are concerned about parking and the lack of parking in the area and we agreed to take the issue forward.

A large number of residents from Beeston Grovecame to voice their concerns about the possible siting of a young people’s recreational facility on the Heaton Park Primary School site on Cuckoo Lane. I have an enormous amount of sympathy for the residents who back onto the site. Next week there is a consultation “drop in” at the school (Wednesday 3.30-6.30pm) where local residents will be able to see the plans and chat to council officers and councillors (I’ll be there in the afternoon!). I really hope we can find a solution - there aren’t any play or recreation facilities between Bailey Street and Simister - leaving a massive gap right in the heart of our area - but clearly it will only happen if its what the local community want.

Please get in touch if you need to know more or have any views.

Tim

A new planning application has been received which is within Holyrood Ward of Prestwich as detailed below:-

Application number: 49338         Type of application: Full         Date Registered: 10/01/2008

Applicant: Ms I Sweeney
Location: 11 SIMISTER GREEN, SIMISTER, PRESTWICH, M25 2RY
Proposal: SINGLE-STOREY EXTENSION AT REAR

Should you require further details please contact the case officer: Jane Langan on: 0161 253 5316 or access the Councils E-planning pages on the Council web site www.bury.gov.uk.

In addition if you have concerns about this application or want advice about commenting on applications please contact your local councillors.

A consultation event for the proposed Heaton Park Schoo/Polefield Recreation Zone on Cuckoo Lane is proposed to take place on:

3.30PM ONWARDS WEDNESDAY 23 JANUARY at Heaton Park County Primary.

The event is a “drop in” where members of the public can find out more, and comment on the proposals.

More details to follow.

Tim

Plans to move forward on development of the Prestwich Heys Football Club on Sandgate Road have been approved.

As a ward Councillor I was at a site visit with many local residents who raised many important concerns about the proposal. My councillor colleague Cllr Vic D’Albert represented residents at the meeting later that evening.

Here’s Vic’s report from the meeting:

“Bury Council’s Planning Control Committee last night approved controversial plans to re-develope the Sandgate Road Football Ground. The plans for new buildings, fencing, extended car park and floodlighting were passed by 6 votes to 3 and followed a visit to the site by the Committee earlier in the day. Ward Councillor Vic D’Albert commenting on the decision said, “I am pleased for the club but very dissapointed for residents, some of whom are very distressed about this result. I think the club has to learn lessons about working with their neighbours and would reiterate my belief that this successful club is fast out growing their Sandgate Road home and in considering future developments start to look at a more suitable location.

Earlier Vic addressed the committee and said:

 “First of all I would like to say that I am not opposed to Prestwich Heys and I hope that they continue to thrive and prosper both on and off the pitch.However just I am not opposed to The Heys, I also feel that the applications before the Committee tonight should be divorced from any emotions about enabling the club to develop and ultimately to compete in higher leagues.Just as the committee would approach the request for development of a residential property would not take into consideration the growth of the family living there the committee I feel should not be looking to accommodate the growth of Prestwich Heys. That issue should not be a contributing factor.The key issue generating most opposition to this application is with regard to the proposal for a set of 6 floodlights on 15 meter stanchions….15 meters is about 50 feet. When I tell you that an ordinary residential property is about 30 feet – I think it puts this issue into perspective.  Those affected have a right to live their own lives free from pollution of whatever kind. Without having their homes and gardens illuminated at inappropriate times and disturbing their lifestyles. I believe these proposals are a step too far. When Heys relocated to Sandgate road in 1991 this was a football pitch and St.Josephs Avenue was already built and occupied – they have developed into a reasonably successful club and now have a football ground. I would argue that the plans before you tonight for fencing extended car park provision and floodlighting take the club a step nearer having a football stadium and therefore these plans amount to an over-development of the site.I think its time the club were more open in sharing its visions with the local community and also considered its long term future.I feel the time is fast approaching when Heys should consider as part of those ambitions finding a more suitable location to enable them to grow and achieve at a greater level.One thing is sure and that its not for the local community to accept Heys development at cost to their own quality of life. Its not for St.Josephs Avenueto accomadate the ambitions of Prestwich Heys – especially as they were there firstIt could be argued tonight that rejection of these plans would make Prestwich Heys a victim of their own success. That may or may not be the case. In any event what is clear to me is that the residents living adjacent to this ground should not be the victims of their success. I therefore, with much regret , but as a matter of fairness, request that these applications are rejected.”

A site visit by the Council’s Planning Committee is scheduled to take place next Tuesday, 20 November 2007, to consider the planning application made by the club.

The Committee will be at the Club at 3.50pm on Tuesday where they will look at the proposals for improved car parking, fencing and floodlights prior to a decision being made on the appliation at the Planning Meeting that evening at 7.00pm.

I am planning to be at the site visit, to brief members of the Planning Committe of the concerns that many residents have raised concerns over the proposals.

Tim

Bury Council is proposing to implement some parking restrictions on the junction of Heaton Street and Heywood Road.

Apparently there have been a number of accidents here, probably associated with the shops across the road. The draft scheme, which is for double yellow lines around the junction can be downloaded here. If you have any queries or comments please do not hesitate to contact me.

On Tuesday I attended the Governors for St Margaret’s CoE Primary School on Heywood Road. St Margaret’s is one of the two schools in the ward which I serve as a Local Education Authority (LEA) Governor.

At the meeting the Head Teacher reported on the outstanding Diocesan Inspection report that the school received from the Church of England inspectors. The report gave the school an “outstanding” mark which is excellent.

It was also great to see some excellent results at the end of the summer term in 2007. In Key Stage 1 (infants) 100% of children reached Level 2 or more in Speaking/Listening, Writing, Maths and Science. 91% reached 2 or mrore in Reading. Many more children reached the higher level 3- 40% in Reading, Maths and Science.

 At Key Stage 2 (juniors), the school had the third highest results in the whole of Bury - the best the school has ever done! 100% of children achieved level 4 or more in English and Science, and 91% in Maths. Many children reached the higer Level 5 (71% in English!). Well done to all the children and teachers involved in such excellent results.

It was also good to hear that the school’s spanish teaching project is moving further forward. A Foreign Language Assistant has been made available for two sesions each week from Chile to help the children with their Spanish language.

The Bury Manchester Metrolink line is back up and running again after a summer long closure during which we’ve been dependent on bus replacement services.

I haven’t had chance to go on the tram since the upgrade yet, but work seems impressive! On Heaton Street where I live many of us have the tramline at the back of our houses, and its a significant difference in the noise made by the trams. The track prior to work was laid on wooded sleepers and (apparently) dated back to the days of the Lancashire and Yorkshire Railway before 1914!

I know that in some parts of Prestwich - particularly nearer to the Village where the line is more elevated that my area - residents have had enormous problems over noise. Hopefully this will mean a smoother and quieter time for passengers and residents alike!

At the last full meeting of Bury Council I submitted a written question on the safety of the tram network at night. The tram is an excellent service for all of us, but I’m worried that many people are frightened of using the serivce in the evening - especially in the darker months. I’ve asked Cllr Andrew Garner, who is Bury’s spokesperson on the Passenger Transport Authority to take this up for me.

Residents who live alongside the Metrolink line need to be aware that the contractors currently working on renewing the track have informed the Council that some limited work may be needed during the night. Your local councillors have protested against this proposal, and we have received assurances that no heavy cutting or noisy work will take place, and that work will only take place if the recent wet weather continues and work cannot be completed during the day.

 Please contact me or one of your other councillors if work is disturbing you during the night and we will report this immediately to the relevant authorities.

Tim