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Messenger-backed campaign blocks Hale Barns development
JUBILANT campaigners have won their two-year battle to stop a controversial redevelopment of the Square shopping centre in Hale Barns.
Planning inspector Martin Pike has given the thumbs-down to the scheme, almost four months after the end of a public inquiry that lasted for 16 days stretching over nine months.
The massive opposition to the development was spearheaded by the Hale Barns Residents' Response (HBRR) group - and backed by Messenger.
HBRR thanked Messenger for its support and hailed the decision as a 'major victory for the community of Hale Barns."
The inspector backed the campaigners' claim that the proposed centre was too large.
The campaign went into overdrive when developers Citybranch appealed against the decision of Trafford's planning committee to reject the proposed development.
The scheme would have seen the existing shopping precinct replaced with a much larger development comprising a 19,000 sq ft Waitrose supermarket, 14 shops, 51 flats and a large underground car park.
Rev Rob Hinton of HBRR said their opposition was not based on 'NIMBYism', as the community accepted from the outset that a facelift or redevelopment was appropriate - "but not something of a scale that would overwhelm Hale Barns, bring huge traffic congestion, and disrupt community life."
He said they were now looking forward to future improvements being made that enhanced the village: "Today's decision is a triumph for common sense for a cause that has brought together all sectors of the community and given us a sense of shared identity. The message to the Citybranch and its directors is that we appreciate they are trying to enhance and update the Square but it has been shown that the plans drawn up are for a scheme unsuitable for a local village centre with restricted highways.
"Our fight has been against the oversized development plans, not against Citybranch. We now look forward to Citybranch scaling down their plans and redesigning the scheme so that is appropriate."
Mr Pike said in his conclusion: "The decision requires a balanced judgement to be reached between the merits of the scheme and those aspects which would cause harm. I consider that the improvements to Hale Barns and the other benefits of the scheme are not sufficient to outweigh my finding that the proposal is too large to be directly related to the role and function of the centre and its catchment, and is thereby in conflict with PPS6 and the development plan."HBRR'S supporters donated nearly £60,000 to a fund the legal fight - but the group still needs contributions of £2,800 to cover its costs.
Trafford Council welcomed the inspector's decision.
| "Today's decision is a triumph for common sense for a cause that has brought together all sectors of the community." | | Rev Rob Hinton |
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Paul Harvey, the director of environment, said: "The inspector has looked very carefully at all the arguments for and against the development scheme. The council and the inspector accept that a redevelopment of the shopping centre would be of value to the Hale Barns community, and the council looks forward to working with the owners, Citybranch Ltd, and the local community to ensure that a scheme of a more appropriate size is promoted."
Cllr Ian Mullins, who represents Hale Barns ward, said: "I am delighted that the inspector has refused the appeal. Residents of Hale Barns have had this proposal hanging over them like the Sword of Damocles for the past couple of years. It is with a great sense of relief that the village and local community have had this threat removed.
"What needs to be reflected upon is how the parties concerned ever reached the position of an appeal in the first place. The council has used hundreds of thousands of pounds of public money on dealing with this single application.
"Had common sense prevailed from the beginning, and politicians, planners and developers agreed on a scheme that was right for Hale Barns, so much time, energy and money would not have been expended for absolutely no end result.
"We should be certain that this is a victory for local people and the local community, who have come together as individuals and united to become a real force. Together they have taken on the council and subsequently the developers, and emerged with the decision that they knew to be correct at the very beginning."
Citybranch director Adam Gross said: "Obviously we are very disappointed with the appeal decision. We will review the inspector's report in detail before deciding on the way forward."
9:38am Thursday 10th April 2008
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CommentPosted by: Anon, Davyhulme on 9:43am Thu 10 Apr 08
Congratulations to the residents of Hale Barns from one who lives in the shadow of the Trafford Centre.
Congratulations to the residents of Hale Barns from one who lives in the shadow of the Trafford Centre.
Posted by: Anon, Davyhulme on 9:44am Thu 10 Apr 08
Congratulations to the residents of Hale Barns from one who lives in the shadow of the Trafford Centre
Congratulations to the residents of Hale Barns from one who lives in the shadow of the Trafford Centre
Posted by: Suzie, Sale on 11:19am Thu 10 Apr 08
I hope this will give some hope to the campaigners against the massive altair development in Altrincham BUT there is adifference The Tories support Altair because it is council land !!!!
I hope this will give some hope to the campaigners against the massive altair development in Altrincham BUT there is adifference The Tories support Altair because it is council land !!!!
Posted by: Suzie, Sale on 11:19am Thu 10 Apr 08
I hope this will give some hope to the campaigners against the massive altair development in Altrincham BUT there is adifference The Tories support Altair because it is council land !!!!
I hope this will give some hope to the campaigners against the massive altair development in Altrincham BUT there is adifference The Tories support Altair because it is council land !!!!
Posted by: paul, hale on 11:20am Thu 10 Apr 08
it wont be long till one is there belive me
it wont be long till one is there belive me
Posted by: Paul, Hale Barns on 4:06pm Thu 10 Apr 08
The correct decision. There's no doubt that Hale Barns Square desperately requires modernising, lets hope we will now see a sensible plan going forward.
As for Altrincham, we’ve all seen the deterioration in the town, caused by greedy commercial landlords resulting in faceless large multiples being the only ones paying extremely high rents to sell their high priced rubbish seen on every high street today. All aided by greedy Trafford Council’s high business rates. Obviously it could not be sustained. Small family businesses have been driven out by successive councillors and here is the result, Altrincham a ghost town.
The correct decision. There's no doubt that Hale Barns Square desperately requires modernising, lets hope we will now see a sensible plan going forward.
As for Altrincham, we’ve all seen the deterioration in the town, caused by greedy commercial landlords resulting in faceless large multiples being the only ones paying extremely high rents to sell their high priced rubbish seen on every high street today. All aided by greedy Trafford Council’s high business rates. Obviously it could not be sustained. Small family businesses have been driven out by successive councillors and here is the result, Altrincham a ghost town.
Posted by: CW, Hale on 10:09pm Thu 10 Apr 08
Well I'm sure all you middle class hypocritical nimby's out there are delighted. You've protected you're village (population 10,000+) from those naughty developers and managed to protect that historic 1970's eyesore that is the current Hale Barns shopping centre. I actually quite liked the proposal, sure I understand the objections due to the scale but then again referring to Hale Barns as a village now is a bit of a stretch isn't it? Hale Barns now consists of little more than a rundown shopping centre, a couple of pubs and a very busy road dissecting it. The mindset of the individual's who opposed this development was cruelly exposed when we all saw the embarrassment of the alternate proposal, a development that resembled little more than a mock Georgian craft centre. Given the obvious competition and considerably more welcoming attitudes from nearby centres in Hale and Altrincham there is a very real chance that developers will now give this site a wide berth. Perhaps I could ask all those who campaigned against this project to avoid using the local Tesco's and Sainsbury's in Altrincham and adding to the congestion in the area. It would also be nice if you could avoid using the tree roads as a short cut as you head home to your new build in your 4x4. Enjoy the impending drop in house prices as your shopping centre declines and ends up being inhabited by your local drug dealer!
Well I'm sure all you middle class hypocritical nimby's out there are delighted. You've protected you're village (population 10,000+) from those naughty developers and managed to protect that historic 1970's eyesore that is the current Hale Barns shopping centre. I actually quite liked the proposal, sure I understand the objections due to the scale but then again referring to Hale Barns as a village now is a bit of a stretch isn't it? Hale Barns now consists of little more than a rundown shopping centre, a couple of pubs and a very busy road dissecting it. The mindset of the individual's who opposed this development was cruelly exposed when we all saw the embarrassment of the alternate proposal, a development that resembled little more than a mock Georgian craft centre. Given the obvious competition and considerably more welcoming attitudes from nearby centres in Hale and Altrincham there is a very real chance that developers will now give this site a wide berth. Perhaps I could ask all those who campaigned against this project to avoid using the local Tesco's and Sainsbury's in Altrincham and adding to the congestion in the area. It would also be nice if you could avoid using the tree roads as a short cut as you head home to your new build in your 4x4. Enjoy the impending drop in house prices as your shopping centre declines and ends up being inhabited by your local drug dealer!
Posted by: 60schild on 3:59am Fri 11 Apr 08
Quote: "[italic]Cllr Ian Mullins, who represents Hale Barns ward, said: "I am delighted that the inspector has refused the appeal. Residents of Hale Barns have had this proposal hanging over them like the Sword of Damocles for the past couple of years. It is with a great sense of relief that the village and local community have had this threat removed."[/italic]
Is this the same councillor who rode roughshod over the views of the elderly Stretford residents who voiced legitimate concerns over the siting of a homeless hostel in the middle of an elderly persons housing scheme? [bold]The Hypocrite!!!![/bold]
Quote: "
Cllr Ian Mullins, who represents Hale Barns ward, said: "I am delighted that the inspector has refused the appeal. Residents of Hale Barns have had this proposal hanging over them like the Sword of Damocles for the past couple of years. It is with a great sense of relief that the village and local community have had this threat removed."
Is this the same councillor who rode roughshod over the views of the elderly Stretford residents who voiced legitimate concerns over the siting of a homeless hostel in the middle of an elderly persons housing scheme?
The Hypocrite!!!! Posted by: hale trader, Hale on 8:54am Fri 11 Apr 08
[quote][bold]CW[/bold] wrote:
Well I'm sure all you middle class hypocritical nimby's out there are delighted. You've protected you're village (population 10,000+) from those naughty developers and managed to protect that historic 1970's eyesore that is the current Hale Barns shopping centre. I actually quite liked the proposal, sure I understand the objections due to the scale but then again referring to Hale Barns as a village now is a bit of a stretch isn't it? Hale Barns now consists of little more than a rundown shopping centre, a couple of pubs and a very busy road dissecting it. The mindset of the individual's who opposed this development was cruelly exposed when we all saw the embarrassment of the alternate proposal, a development that resembled little more than a mock Georgian craft centre. Given the obvious competition and considerably more welcoming attitudes from nearby centres in Hale and Altrincham there is a very real chance that developers will now give this site a wide berth. Perhaps I could ask all those who campaigned against this project to avoid using the local Tesco's and Sainsbury's in Altrincham and adding to the congestion in the area. It would also be nice if you could avoid using the tree roads as a short cut as you head home to your new build in your 4x4. Enjoy the impending drop in house prices as your shopping centre declines and ends up being inhabited by your local drug dealer![/quote] If you had attended the enquiry you would also know that the Hale Barns proposal for the normal day-to-day trade catchment area included the actual physical area of Hale village and therefore would have badly effected that villages own ongoing viability. It double counted all the local customers in a very shameless manipulation of the information provided which was systematically taken apart by the legal teams.
CW wrote:
Well I'm sure all you middle class hypocritical nimby's out there are delighted. You've protected you're village (population 10,000+) from those naughty developers and managed to protect that historic 1970's eyesore that is the current Hale Barns shopping centre. I actually quite liked the proposal, sure I understand the objections due to the scale but then again referring to Hale Barns as a village now is a bit of a stretch isn't it? Hale Barns now consists of little more than a rundown shopping centre, a couple of pubs and a very busy road dissecting it. The mindset of the individual's who opposed this development was cruelly exposed when we all saw the embarrassment of the alternate proposal, a development that resembled little more than a mock Georgian craft centre. Given the obvious competition and considerably more welcoming attitudes from nearby centres in Hale and Altrincham there is a very real chance that developers will now give this site a wide berth. Perhaps I could ask all those who campaigned against this project to avoid using the local Tesco's and Sainsbury's in Altrincham and adding to the congestion in the area. It would also be nice if you could avoid using the tree roads as a short cut as you head home to your new build in your 4x4. Enjoy the impending drop in house prices as your shopping centre declines and ends up being inhabited by your local drug dealer!
If you had attended the enquiry you would also know that the Hale Barns proposal for the normal day-to-day trade catchment area included the actual physical area of Hale village and therefore would have badly effected that villages own ongoing viability. It double counted all the local customers in a very shameless manipulation of the information provided which was systematically taken apart by the legal teams.
Posted by: JK, Hale Barns on 11:07am Fri 11 Apr 08
CW, Hale. You said it - population 10,000 - and in relation the size of the development was ridiculous. I want to see the Centre re-developed as much as anyone but a supermarket of the size proposed plus flats was never suitable for the location. A smaller Waitrose would be fine, so in my case it certainly isn't NIMBYism. The proposal as submitted just smacked of greed.
CW, Hale. You said it - population 10,000 - and in relation the size of the development was ridiculous. I want to see the Centre re-developed as much as anyone but a supermarket of the size proposed plus flats was never suitable for the location. A smaller Waitrose would be fine, so in my case it certainly isn't NIMBYism. The proposal as submitted just smacked of greed.
Posted by: More of the Same Please, Timperley on 12:11pm Fri 11 Apr 08
It's nice to see that the "voice of the people" is listened to occassionally and that business interests don't always win. Hopefully a similar decision will be made concerning the oversize and unsuitable Battman development on Deansgate Lane in Timperley.Well Done
It's nice to see that the "voice of the people" is listened to occassionally and that business interests don't always win. Hopefully a similar decision will be made concerning the oversize and unsuitable Battman development on Deansgate Lane in Timperley.Well Done
Posted by: Paul Smith, Hale on 4:40pm Wed 16 Apr 08
The square as it stands is a bit of a relic to say the least, however its probably more to do with the size of the brown paper bag exchanged for refusal than the plans themselves.
The square as it stands is a bit of a relic to say the least, however its probably more to do with the size of the brown paper bag exchanged for refusal than the plans themselves.
Posted by: Annette Curtain, Altrinchm on 7:57pm Wed 16 Apr 08
Unfortunately people, Trafford Borough Council have already planned for new foodstore provisions in Hale, Timperley, Broadheath and Hale Barns.
If the people of the town are saying 'no thanks' why the h*ll do Trafford go and do it anyway?????
The one thing that Trafford Borough Council do not seem to get is that WE are the Client.
Who is pulling their strings? Certainly not the people who it is there to serve.
NEVER GET COMPLACENT AND NEVER GIVE UP THE FIGHT
Unfortunately people, Trafford Borough Council have already planned for new foodstore provisions in Hale, Timperley, Broadheath and Hale Barns.
If the people of the town are saying 'no thanks' why the h*ll do Trafford go and do it anyway?????
The one thing that Trafford Borough Council do not seem to get is that WE are the Client.
Who is pulling their strings? Certainly not the people who it is there to serve.
NEVER GET COMPLACENT AND NEVER GIVE UP THE FIGHT
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