Eco Store for Crumpsall

Nice for a change to have an entry about a planning application that I am supporting, on this occasion an application from Tesco to turn their store currently under construction on Arlington Street into what they term an Eco Store, indeed their first Eco Store. Now I know Tesco isn't everybody's favourite brand because of their market dominance, but this store is needed even more now given the imminent closure of Somerfield, and it will provide local shopping without the inflated prices other supermarkets have used their monopoly position to impose. The Eco Store has lots of innovative features but the bottom line is that it should consume at least 50% less Carbon than previous stores and will include one-stop recycling facilities for paper, cardboard, carrier bags, glass, plastic and metal.

A Chemist for Blackley Village ?

Not at first glance a very Blackley Village picture taken outside Manchester Primary Care Trust's headquarters in Chorlton but I was there with members of Blackley Village Residents Association to support an application for a new pharmacy in the village. Councillors have been working with BVRA and the City Council's North Manchester Regen officers to bring a village feel back into Blackley Village and a key element of that is bringing back local retailers and local services. Currently, unless you have a car, it is a long, steep uphill walk to get to a chemist , and with a growing population in and adjacent to the village, I believe it can have its own pharmacy without damaging others in nearby areas. We should know whether or not we have been successful in around two weeks, but this could be a major step in the regeneration of Blackley Village.

Glorious Mud in Herristone Park

Delighted to see lots of Friends of Herristone Park out on Sunday working away with the help of Leisure Services staff to further improve the look of the park. The photograph only shows a small sample of the dozens of helpers and yes I did actually use the spade. The planting at the top end of the park was completed but work on a proposed wild flower bank further down had to be abandoned for the day as rain turned the ground we were digging into squelchy mud. Went home for my wellies for that and am lucky they're not still stuck in the mud and clay. Thankyou to all the residents and Council staff who turned out for a great community afternoon.

More planning problems

A couple of weeks ago I reported on dreadful proposals for housing overdevelopment on Wilton Road. Thankfully those proposals were thrown out by the Planning Committee but at tonight's surgery I was met with a delegation from the other end of Wilton Road, or Bank Road and Cliffdale Drive to be more precise, up in arms at a proposed car wash behind the Cleve. Residents are rightly concerned about increased traffic, noise, lighting in winter, and a business entirely inappropriate for and out of character with this residential location. I will be adding my objection to those of the residents and hopefully we will get the same result as at the other end of the road.

Michael Todd, Chief Constable

Michael Todd
We are all stunned at the tragic news of Mike Todd's death. I do not wish to and will not add to the speculation about the causes of this awful tragedy but rather pay my respects and those of Crumpsall's councillors to a man who served us well, transforming Greater Manchester Police since he arrived in 2002 to a force to be reckoned with, delivering neighbourhood policing and reducing crime. He led with energy and enthusiasm and he led by example. He will be sorely missed by his family and his colleagues and my thoughts are with them as we mourn his passing. The Council's Executive Committee honoured Mike this morning with a minutes silence, a small token for an enormous loss.

Planning threat to Wilton Road

Residents of Wilton Road and Bowker Bank Avenue are up in arms at appalling proposals from developer Wainhomes' proposal to demolish 33 Wilton Road and cover the site with as many poorly designed, out-of-character houses as possible. I'm joined outside the house by local resident Joan Milgate who with other neighbours has helped organise opposition to this dreadful plan and has made sure that local residents not consulted directly by the planners know about it. The house types proposed would not fit in at all with the surrounding area and some local residents would have three storey houses built right up to the back of their properties. I have put in a fierce objection to the city planners and hope that when it comes before the Planning Committee this Thursday it will be roundly rejected.

How daft can you get?

Lovely weather for the St.Patrick's Day parade yesterday, earlier than usual because of early Easter, but as always starting off the growing season of festivals reflecting Manchester's rich diversity. Reckon I deserved the pint of Guinness after walking to Albert Square from Crumpsall, joining the enormous parade on Cheetham Hill Road. The silly hat was courtesy of festival co-chair Esther Dolan. The other co-chair, JohnFlanagan, walked the parade accompanied by a silly dog [ depending on your view of Irish Wolfhounds ] and the parade was led by Lord Mayor Glynn Evans in another silly hat but one that goes with the job. There was a fantastic turn out to watch the parade and Albert Square was heaving, especially the little bit of it I'm standing in for this picture. The next big parade is of course St.George's day and I hope the weather is just as good for that.