GordonTilstone
Support your local businesses
Just a reminder to support local businesses so that they don’t disappear.
Remember Slattocks Post Office? Yes, it’s gone
Let’s make sure we don’t lose any more local businesses and amenities, particularly those run by local residents.
To name but a few: The Ship Inn, Tandle Hill Tavern & Hopwood Arms; Tetlow’s milk delivery; Dickinson’s egg supply & skip hire; Stakehill Nursery; Smalley Hall [for events, clubs & meetings]; Thornham Cricket Club; Greenwood’s & Hollingworth’s groundwork contractors.
If we’ve missed anyone then email: greenbelt @slattocks.com – and we’ll update this list.
Speculation of housing development in Slattocks
Rumours abound that developers are taking a closer look at land in the Slattocks.
SOS-Save Our Slattocks understands that until the next draft of the GMSF is published [expected June 2018], then the developers via their agents are just ‘testing the water’.
The questions that residents are asking are:
- Are local landowners willing to sell?
- Has Rochdale Council been approached for approval?
- Is there a need for large-scale development in the area?
SOS-Save Our Slattocks believes that only very limited development is right for Slattocks & Stakehill.
We want the greenbelt and open space where we live to be enjoyed by residents and visitors for many years ahead and not become more clogged up and built up in the name of progress.
We’ll keep our ears to the ground and let you know when we have more information.
Until then, tell us what you think at our Facebook group “Slattocks Greenbelt”
Neighbourhood Forum Meeting – A Success
Local residents, businesses and stakeholders joined together at Smalley Hall on Thornham Lane to learn about the process of setting up a Neighbourhood Forum and Planning Area.
The three invited presenters were able to bring a wealth of knowledge to the event.
The first of these was Dr Quintin Bradley, Senior Lecturer in Housing & Planning at Leeds Beckett University, who gave a very in-depth presentation on the subject. He said that there are now around 2200 Forums across England producing Neighbourhood Plans. Dr Bradley stressed that whilst the process can be daunting, it is definitely worth doing as it gives local residents, through their Forum and Plan, legal standing. This then means that the local Council must consult the Forum on planning applications in their Plan Area. He added that if you don’t do it, you leave the area open to uncontrolled and potentially inappropriate development.
Next up was Alan Rawsterne from the Rooley Moor Neighbourhood Forum. Alan was able to draw on his experience of setting up a Forum having started the process in October 2015 and their journey so far. Alan said that the community is using the process to help maintain & enhance the local environment so that residents and visitors alike can enjoy it well into the future.
Third we heard from Sohida Banu, Planning Officer with Rochdale Council. Sohida gave details of both the Council’s responsibilities and those of local residents, in setting up a Forum and Planning Area all the way to completing the process. She said that the Council was there to help the community and that Government funding is available to Forums so that they can engage professional help.
Feedback from the audience was very positive, many saying they found all the presentations very informative and giving them greater insight into the subject.
Event organisers and local residents Gordon Tilstone and Ian Briggs expressed their thanks to the presenters and said they were very pleased with the turn out.
“With continued support and input from the community, we can take the process of producing a Neighbourhood Plan forward and thus help protect and enhance the area for the benefit of all” said Gordon.
Ian Briggs added “Having a Neighbourhood Plan will mean we have legal rights, can influence what happens and make sure it is what people in the area actually want. We’re in favour of development but it has to be right for the community.”
One of the next steps will be to distribute a questionnaire across the Plan Area to further engage the local community in the process and make sure everyone’s view is taken into account.
For more information contact: greenbelt@slattocks.com
QuizNight 3 @ The Hopwood
Another chance to – pick your wits -bite your nails – pull your hair out – enjoy yourselves – prove you’ve got it –
And – win prizes –
Could you put on a display?
We now have a number of these estate agent-type signs for display around the area.
Could you be one of those households/properties where these signs would be seen by passers-by?
The signs have been paid from the funds you’ve helped to raise over the last year so it’s a big thank you to everyone who has contributed and supported the campaign.
So let’s remind everyone how passionate we are in ensuring that the local greenbelt is not lost under tons of concrete and that we, and visitors to the area, are still able to enjoy it and get a breath of fresh air.
Get your sign and show people that you’re doing your best to Save The Greenbelt by emailing greenbelt@slattocks.com . If you’re not able to erect the sign yourself, this can be arranged.
Come along to the Neighbourhood Forum Meeting
Click the link: NF-NP meeting 25-11-17
Neighbourhood Forum & Plan
The Government’s Localism Act 2011 introduced major reforms to the planning system that gives local communities new rights to shape and plan their neighbourhood.
Using this legislation we can develop our own Neighbourhood Plan and:
- choose where new homes, shops and offices should be built;
- have a say on what those new buildings should look like, influence the design and functionality of open spaces; and
- grant planning permission for new developments the community wants to see go ahead.
With this in mind, SOS-Save Our Slattocks welcomes local residents who are interested to join a steering group.
To find out more, come along to Thornham Cricket Club – 7pm – Wednesday 13th September 2017
Greenbelt Groove Festival 2017 – Total Success
Ticket sales had been slow in the weeks prior to the Festival, but everything came good with ticket sales on the door.
With twelve local music acts showcasing a variety of genres, plus DJ Baggsy and MC Dave Sweetmore, all giving their services free, the crowd was fully entertained and engaged with the greenbelt campaign.
Kicking off at 1pm with The Smashing Lads, followed by Max Moore; The Hurt; Daz Mac & The Nutcase; Ashley O’Toole; Neve Pollitt; The Recreation; Son Primo; Beggars Belief; Twin Gates; and The Scuttlers, the stage was a constant frenzy of activity.
Whilst many came to see top of the bill The Scuttlers finish a great day’s outdoor entertainment, all the acts got the crowd’s appreciation for both their music and for supporting SOS-Save Our Slattocks.
“A fantastic day, raising awareness of the save the greenbelt campaign and showcasing local talent, what more could you want?” said co-organiser Gordon Tilstone, chair of SOS-Save Our Slattocks. “It just shows that people really do care about the local environment” he added.
“It was great to see the local community coming together and having a great time. People are already anticipating next year’s Festival and we’re already looking at making the experience even better” said co-organiser AJ Williams, who also plays bass guitar with Son Primo.
Stakehill resident Ian Briggs and Middleton’s Kallum Nolan were also pivotal in bringing together local acts; sound system and the day itself.
“All the Team worked hard to make the Festival a success and our thanks go to everyone, but particularly the volunteer stewards and Jimmy the landlord and his staff, who made the day go without a hitch. My personal thanks to you all” said Gordon Tilstone.
Greenbelt Groove Festival in the News
