Alderley Edge Parish Council (AEPC) are hopeful that the support of Rt Hon George Osborne, MP will be beneficial in persuading Cheshire East Council to give them some land so a new sports facility can be built in the village.
The Chancellor has written to Cheshire East Council (CEC) to support the creation of sports fields on Wilmslow Road. This will enable Alderley Edge School for Girls (AESG) to build new sports facilities, including a hockey pitch, which they will fund and make available for the use of the wider public and Alderley Edge Hockey Club.
The 8.8 acre site, which lies between the Alderley Edge bypass and Wilmslow Road, will also provide football fields for the use of local club Alderley United.
George Osborne said "I am very supportive of the plans Alderley Edge School for Girls have to improve their sports facilities, including how these facilities are available to the wider public. How this is achieved is for the democratically elected council."
If Cheshire East Council provide this former farm land, which they purchased when the bypass was being planned, then AEPC will lease it to AESG. In return for a long lease on the Wilmslow Road fields, the Girls School will lease Lydiat Lane to the Parish Council in order to provide an allotment site, so they can relocate the Heyes Lane allotment holders and use the current allotment site to create a car park.
The Girls School will also sub-lease part of the Wilmslow Road site to Alderley United which was formed in 2008 from a merger of the Squirrels and the Nomads. Alderley United is now the only junior football club in the village and attracts nearly 300 children boys and girls who play for the club across 20 teams.
Cllr Frank Keegan said "The Chancellor is in support of the work which I and Councillor Mike Williamson, in his role as Chairman of the Parish Council, have done over recent years to plan the transformation of the facilities on offer in Alderley Edge.
"The building blocks were: ownership of the Festival Hall; control of the Heyes Lane Allotment site; identification of an alternative statutory allotment site, which is Lydiat Lane; and finally, identification of a site capable of hosting sports fields for both Alderley Edge School for Girls, and football fields for the local club, Alderley United."
Cllr Keegan added "The current Heyes Lane allotment site will augment the offer of the Medical Centre, making Alderley Edge self-sufficient in medical facilities for many, many years to come. In addition, the Festival Hall will be transformed as a venue, capable of serving the community needs as now, but also capable of attracting premium bookings.
"A major driving force in developing the Wilmslow Road site is the need to keep a barrier between Alderley Edge and Wilmslow, and when a long lease sports facility is in place, the danger of residential development on that site goes away for at least 125 years.
"When the pieces are in place, Alderley Edge Parish Council will have provided a new Medical Centre, a revamped Festival Hall and a vast improvement on the sports facilities within the village."
Mrs Sue Goff, Headmistress at Alderley Edge School for Girls, said "We were delighted to hear of this exciting potential sports development and hope very much that it will come to fruition very soon. We are particularly pleased to have the support of the Chancellor himself who came to visit the school to discuss our sports facilities some time ago. We are always keen to be involved in community projects in the village."
Andy Anson, President of Alderley United said "Our current footballing home, is the council-owned playing field on Chorley Hall Lane, where we have a small pavilion. However the facility is not appropriate for a club of our stature, based within such a beautiful village. We do not have flexibility to play the different formats of football required by the Football Association now at the junior levels and far too many of our matches are cancelled due to unsuitable playing conditions.
"We have therefore made it a priority to find a new location where we can have a 3G or 4G artificial grass pitch which can be used for different sized matches and in diverse weather conditions along with a much improved club house facility. We have had a constructive and on-going dialogue with the Parish Council who have been incredibly helpful in supporting our vision. We have recently also been meeting with the headmistress and her team at Alderley Edge School for Girls and realised that by working together we can create a superior facility which can benefit the entire community.
"We hope that for the sake of the children who play football and other sports in the village, and for the entire community, we can develop a facility which befits the status of the village and provides a facility where future generations of boys and girls can enjoy all the physical and health-related benefits of playing football in a high-quality, pressure free environment."
Alderley Edge Parish Council have been have been talking to CEC about this land since July 2011. Cllr Keegan will now formally request the land from Cheshire East, commenting "It has fantastic support and is a fantastic scheme - Cheshire East will need an extremely good reason for trying to frustrate the scheme."
Comments
Here's what readers have had to say so far. Why not add your thoughts below.
Our thanks go to the Council for helping us start the process of getting started on a fantastic Football facility for the community - which will be open to anyone wanting to play football.
David Fleming
Chairman Alderley United
Hi Ian... why on earth might you be suspicious of the motives of AEPC Councillors? Is it some generic thing? Is there a anti-AEPC gene deep in one of your chromosomes?
Why should there be a drop off in demand for footy on C.H.Lane playing field? Surely this is a chance to increase the footy areas available to children? See David above.
Are you suggesting that instead of opening new allotments on the Lydiat Lane site, we should use the C.H.Playing Field for allotments?... presumably by ceasing to use it as a playing/footy field?... how radical are you? Will you comfort the children who lose the playing field to the 'diggers & toilers of the soil'? And what of the land at Lydial Lane; do you have a 'cunning plan' for that? Might you suggest turning it into an outdoor hot-tub facility for the use of Councillors?
As the village is already 'stuffed to the gills' re. parking, hopefully some sensible people will use the new car park at the Med. centre; do you agree?
There will be (unless C.E. renague on their 'word') a larger allotments' site at Lydiat Lane, to accommodate both the folk from Hayes Lane & the folk on the waiting list; what do you not like about that?
Please reveal your masterplan, to alleviate parking and empty the allotments' waiting list.
My parents will very shortly be moving from Heyes Lane and as I pointed out it is time to go as ypu will be walking past a car park on your way to the village instead of admiring the allotments
1. in conversation with the Medical Practice, I am aware that approx. 20 parking spaces for patients, apart from parking for staff,would be appreciated (my interpretation of conversation/s and so 'hearsay'?). Surely we can all accept that there will be patients arriving by car and as they are patients it would be foolish to expect some them to walk a great distance to get to the new Medical Centre? So where else might they park?
2. As to anything being 'part of the landscape'; once a particular object/place/whatever goes, it is soon forgotten and looking back, people wonder what all the 'fuss' was about?
3. You still haven't mentioned the intention to provide new allotments at Lydiat Lane; more allotments and so farewell to the current waiting list?
4. How the proposed new parking area might look? Who knows? But why should it be the eyesore you seem to anticipate? Are we not capable of producing something that is even more of a visual attraction than the present bucolic site?
As for parking , try Clifton Street , resident parking scheme has rendered it empty most days , equally there are always spaces in Stamford Road ....
Fiona, I agree re the landscape , though think the real problem was allowing the Royal Oak development , which has ruined the vista, and caused traffic nuisance/ bad parking etc
Vin
As to 'a knowing better than the rest', evidence that please!
AEPC does listen to people; but when I/we ask for alternative viable proposals, all I/we hear is a deafening silence... you tell me where extra parking space can be found... you tell me what is wrong with the idea of providing extra allotment sites... you tell me how a Medical centre can be provided, without nearby parking for doctors and (more importantly) for patients.
Parking on Stamford Rd. you say; is that a Stamford Rd. lynch mob I see, heading for you?
The Clifton St. resident parking scheme was agreed between the residents and C.E. so don't 'shout' at AEPC about it, go remonstrate with the Clifton St. residents! (I'll bring you grapes to the hospital afterwards!).
The Royal Oak development had nought to do with the AEPC; that was C.E. planners! As is the current application from the developer to 'do away with' the green space (ex-bowling green!).
Landscape?.. .is it beyond the wit of us all, to ensure that if the eventual parking scheme goes ahead, it is made into 'a thing of beauty'?... a 'green' oasis?... a mass of wildlife habitats?
This forum has heard from the Medical Practice that there is ample parking provision within the plan. Yes, there is a need for additional parking in Alderley Edge but it IS questionable whether people will walk the distance from the Festival Hall to the village. Judging by the daily abuse of current parking regulations, people seem unwilling to walk more than a few metres, let alone a few hundred metres
In any case, why take away a much loved local amenity from people who have enjoyed it for generations? There must be other pockets of land that can be developed for parking. Land such as the overgrown strip on the east side of the railway station.
To read a Councillor suggesting that "Once a particular object/place/whatever goes, it is soon forgotten and looking back, people wonder what all the 'fuss' was about?" (in the context of what is being discussed here) is bordering on sinister - it certainly does little to reassure those of us who truly care about the history, heritage and future of our village.
How might the new car park look? As he says "who knows" but perhaps he could give us a couple of examples of attractive looking CEC car parks?
Don't it always seem to go
That you cant remember what you had
when it's gone
They paved our allotments
And put up a parking lot
Duncan Heralds "Big Yellow Tax-Take"
At this time there may well be ample parking within the site BUT when all the 'dust has settled' there will be many less parking places (down from approx. 55 to approx 30-odd I think) and in any case, now that 'NHS England' has stated that the plan agreed with the PCT is no longer seen to be good enough, who knows how many spaces there will be once a new plan has been agreed by the new quango?
Will people walk the distance; sadly i tend to agree with you BUT we have already had approaches from businesses in the village wanting to 'block book' chunks of any new parking... which may knock-on to freeing up parking in the village (more than one way to skin a moggy?).
Are there other bits of land to develop? Not for a Medical Centre I am told, by the doctors. Other bits of land as parking sites; doesn't the same 'they won't walk' apply?
Do people not forget? The fresh fish shop? The 'Royal Oak'? etc. If we end up with ample parking, a new Medical Centre and extra allotments, I'll bet that inside a couple of years all will be well again? History & Heritage are fine... as long as they don't interfere with the much-needed components of the Future?
CEC car parks are a CEC thing... if we are to have a car park in the village where I live, I will do my very best to ensure that it is attractive; its not impossible is it?
Allotments... mayhaps we might ask the occupiers of the Heyes Lane allotments and the people on the waiting list for allotments what they think (as individuals) of a move to much more space at Lydiat Lane? Instead of it being 'AEPC v. Allotments Soc'.? Trouble there is that the 'Allotments Soc.' doesn't seem to want AEPC to ask individuals!
Sinister? I always saw myself as 'Ming the Merciless'!
'Big Yellow' an over-rated song...much prefer 'going down to Y's farm, to join a rock 'n roll band (I wish!).
Yes, I reckon there are pockets of land closer to the village centre that could be used for parking. Indeed AEPC have "disposed" of land over the years such as the old yard at the junction of Heyes Lane and Trafford Road which is now the site of that monument to out of place architecture "Emerson House." That site would have easily made car parking for up to 50 vehicles, and within a stones throw of the village centre. You see "Ming", people do not forget ......... "Gordon's Alive!"
We are stardust.
We are golden.
And we've got to get ourselves back to the allotment!
But even if there are enough spaces on site, what about the 'lost' spaces? Just throw more cars back into the village?... maybe we'll just have to agree to disagree on this one?
As to former pieces of land... I wasn't here then so i can't comment but as for today, where else can we put cars?
Now please tell me your opinion on providing extra allotments at Lydiat Lane?
'Come on down to the mermaid cafe
the PC will buy you a bottle of wine
and we'll laugh and toast to nothing'
So now after the initial planning for the medical centre has been drawn up we find that the parking requirements have changed Would this not have been a fundamental question raised at the time?
Let's go back in history the allotments have previously been targeted for redevelopment and they fought and won the battle! People do not forget and the late Rex Davenport took on the challenge with support of the allotment holders at the time
Like a broken record this is a piece of land gifted in 1917 to the residence of Aldreley Edge with a restricted covenant which states it is for recreational use and not a CAR PARK !!!
I presume that Cheshire East still hold the covenant to this land? So my question would be have they agreed for AEPC to pursue the change of use and overturn the covenant? This would surely require a solcitor to advise and work on this proposal? Who is footing the bill?
1. How can it be said that peoples' opinion is not listened to? That I/we engage in this place and others must indicate that I/we are paying attention. If by 'not listening to others' opinions' you mean not agreeing with them, well that's democracy for you.
2. The initial planning for the Medical Centre is now in ruins... I have repeated here that the new quango (NHS England) has gone back to the start and is insisting on a new spec. for the Medical Centre and that will impinge on the amount of parking, as will any significant development of the Festival Hall building. Yes the 'fundamental question' of parking was looked into 'at the time' but when the quango changes the rules, the fundamental answer has to change.
3. Parking for the Medical Centre is only one strand in a 'parking overview'; the P.C. is attempting to look at the parking horror that is the current village nightmare and that will only get worse as the village population grows... you can't stick 'head in sand' and cry 'go away nasty problem'... please explain to me where you think all the cars are to go, other than by simply passing the problem onto others !
4. People are very welcome to take up the cudgels re. the allotments... good luck to you... but why will not the writers here answer my oft mentioned point; what is wrong with replacing the current small number of allotments on Heyes Lane with a significantly greater number at Lydiat Lane; yes there'll be disruption, but then when is there ever not? I wish we could ask the individual allotment holders, on all allotment sites, but the 'allotment society' seems not to want us to consult the opinion/s of individual allotment holders but only 'talk' with the few people that 'run' the 'allotments society'... by the way, as 'liason with allotments councillor' I have, some time ago, emailed their Chairman asking for a meeting but alas have not received any reply yet.'Its good to talk', but if the 'other side' don't talk then what does one do?
5. Please do not suggest parking on Stamford/Trafford; in such a case i doubt not that the residents there would go for a residents-only parking scheme... thus lowering even more the available parking around the village... or will people just park on Heyes Lane; that'll be fun!
6. Good luck with a covenant... once lawyers are involved, it can probably be ended; that's life eh? If you expect C.E. to support you in that, then again I say 'good luck'.
7. In any event, the 'greater good' will probably prevail... I suspect that the majority of parish inhabitants do not care about allotments etc. as long as they can find a place to park; which is their right!
8. Who foots every bill? We do... you and I stump up the costs... as always!
9. The first principle behind all this is the need for a new Medical Centre... why?... because like it or not, sooner rather than later, the George St. facility will go... so if you are then ill, trot off to Prestbury!
Who will pay for the new Medical Centre? Cenral Govm.? NO! C.E.? NO! The medical practice itself? NO! The only 'mug' to do it, is the P.C. Those of you with a longer memory may recall, about 20 years ago, the demolition of the old Cottage Hospital... do you recall the politicians then telling us that there was no need to worry as a new Medical Centre would appear... do you want that to happen again? If there is to be a new Medical Centre, then all the rest of the 'stuff' you don't like has to fall into place... please do not tell me that a medical centre can be built without affecting allotments, parking problems, occupants of nearby housing etc.
By the way... it would be truly helpful if people other than we 'usual suspects' could please offer up their opinion here... let your views be heard... tell us what you think.
Of course a Medical Centre can be built on the festival hall site "without affecting allotments, parking problems, occupants of nearby housing".
The Festival Hall building is a huge, outdated and embarrassingly underused building that has changed little since it was the Regal Ballroom - There can be little doubt that the building and its surrounding land will easily accomodate a modern Medical Centre as well as appropriate parking spaces for current and future needs.
There is a separate need for car parking space in the village - that does not justify the grabbing of the Heyes Lane allotments under the pretence that it is (in some way) helping to provide for the needs of the poorly and elderley people of Alderley Edge.
As an aside, I have long ago given up trying to understand the machinations of politicians and politics - a "costly muddle" is about as polite as I can be on a public forum. However, in answer to your Question "Who will pay for the new Medical Centre?" shouldn't it be a simple case that, if it's a private practice it should be paid for by the business itself, and if it's a State facility it should be funded by the NHS? Or is that far too simplistic and the mere suggestion raises redundancy concerns for the vast armies of bureaucrats, pen-pushers and assorted ne'er-do-anythings that walk the corridors of our County Halls?
The Hall is no longer underused; the new Hall Manager has it bursting at the seams these days!
Yes the Hall is an 80+ year old building; I voted to knock it down and start again, 3 years ago; I lost !
The Medical Centre will cost between 1 and 2 million pounds (my reasonable guesstimate) ... vague 'cos the new quango (NHS England) won't commit yet on the new spec. they want; how can a medical practice pay that? and CE won't; its not that long ago that CE wrote 'a new medical centre is not a community benefit' (I possibly paraphrase)... at least if the P.C. raise the money, we will eventually own the building! If we don't raise the money, there simply won't be a new Medical Centre. So clearly I think that your view is indeed 'too simplistic'; I wish it were otherwise! Do please check out my assertations with both the medical practice and C.E.
Re. the allotments; I see the loss of 16 allotments as a needed price to pay for parking (both Hall and village)...you,I think, see the loss of allotments as too high a price to pay? We disagree then. I do not think that we will change each other's mind.
Perhaps those living on Stamford Rd. or Trafford Rd or Heyes Lane. might care to comment?
By the way, the things I write herein are my own views and not P.C. policy.
Anyway, if the Medical Centre doesn't happen OR C.E. change their mind about giving land to AESG so as to free up land at Lydiat Lane for new allotments or whatever other disaster occurs, then all our outpourings have been in vain!
Anyone who can master local politics will find skating on quicksand easy!
Hi Ho, round and round we go !
A point would be that the residents of Alderley Edge have not created this Merry go Round. It appears that AEPC have created a Monster
Or could it be that the merry-go-round is spinning too fast and I'm mistaking prancers for white elephants?
Alan... who?... you seemingly 'know' more than I do... do tell!... name names please ! Is this poor naive moi? It ain't me; alas I do not own any land!
Does the plot thicken? In the circles of your mind?
We know that the school wants to update its sports facility to compete with the other Independant schools in the area? . Why can they not do this at Lydiat Lane?
Why is AEPC so involved with trying to sort out a problem for AESG? Is this in the best interest of the residents of AE? I would have thought AEPC had more important issues to focus their time and energy
Again as far as I know, the intention was always to lease the Wilmslow rd. land to AESG (125 years?) rather than gift the land.
AEPC is involved (peripherally) as the land freed up at Lydiat Lane may then be used as new allotments (more than may be lost from Heyes Lane). Also, as I understand it, the land on Wilmslow Rd. would include football pitches for the young persons of our local football teams. Also some of the facilities would be available to A.E. people; all that is why AEPC is involved.
Of course, it may well still not happen; its all down to the 'big boys & girls' at C.E... ah me, the magic of local politics eh?
So when the 2 schools merged this was not taken into consideration that the Additional sports field was at the other end of the village?
Hi Fiona... I was not a Parish Councillor at the time of the two schools merging; I do seem to recall that it was announced as a fait accompli, rather than being a discussion/consultation and so I've no idea what was taken into consideration.
The whole matter of what may or may not happen re. today's possible land swop (by swop can we for the moment please use that term to include possible leasing, giving, exchanging, whatever) is mainly a C.E. matter and as you well know, C.E. is not always forthcoming with info.
I am given to understand that 'conversations' are continuing, within C.E.
What I offer up next is info. that I have gleaned from C.E. sources and so is only hearsay; but you're welcome to it... the Lydiat Lane land is approx. 5.5 acres and the C.E./Wilmslow Road land is approx. 8.6 acres... a direct 'swop' of 5.5 acres for 5.5 acres,would allow AESG to have the playing field they want and would allow an increased size of allotments...the remaining 3.1 acres would be used by the football club (currently approx. 300 children/20 teams)... this 3.1 acres would allow an allweather/astroturf football pitch + changing rooms/pavillion... possibly the school's playing field would include a hockey pitch... the public would have access to all/some of the new facilities in evenings and in part of w/ends...the playing field area hopefully would include drop-off/pick-up areas for the school, thus easing the traffic congestion currently bedeviling Wilmslow Rd./Lydiat Lane/Davey lane.
There y'go.