MEETING NOTES, CHAPEL STREET REGENERATION FORUM
Held on Friday 20th September 2013 at 11.00 a.m.
Biospheric Foundation, Upper Floor Irwell House, East Philip Street, Salford, M3 7LE
Attendees:
Rev Andy Salmon, Chair, Chapel Street Regeneration Forum (Chair)
Vincent Walsh, Biospheric Foundation
Councillor Ord, Salford City Council
Councillor Coen, Salford City Council
Karen Hirst, Salford City Council
Lynda Stefek, Salford City Council
Sara Noonan, Salford City Council
Dan Welsh, Salford City Council
Julie Tracey, Salford City Council
Tony Ennis, Urban Vision
Dave Norbury, Urban Vision
Stephen Talboys, University of Salford
Neil Harvey, local businessman
Jon Monk, The Business Group Salford
David Kirby, DK Architects
Michael Cullen, Salford Crescent Neighbourhood Association
Linda Sidwell, Salford Crescent Neighbourhood Association
Ann Fell, Mother of local resident
Tony Cullen, Father of local resident
Pat Arnold, The Friars Primary School
Helen Roach, Salford Diocese
Kevin O’Neill, Salford M3 Magazine
Apologies received:
Councillor Dennett, Salford City Council
Jim Wensley, Salford City Council
Gareth Wilkinson, Salford City Council
Dave Greenfield, Salford City Council
Richard Wynne, Urban Vision
Phil Mayall, Muse Developments
Martin Breslin, Artisan
Krister Fell, Resident
Canon Tony McBride, Salford Diocese
Patrick O’Dowd, Salford Diocese
Dan Benjamin, Chair, Tietara
Ray Smith, X1 Developments
1.Welcome and Introductions
Andy Salmon welcomed everyone to the meeting and those present introduced themselves.
2.Introduction from the BiosphericFoundation
Vincent Walsh thanked everyone for attending and gave a brief background to the Biospheric Project.
3.Notes of the last meeting and any actions
The notes were agreed as a correct record.
Stephen Talboys has not yet met with the school regarding the issues with the bus, as this did improve over the summer (as the schools/university had been closed). The situation will be monitored now that they are open again, and the bus is once more operational.
Tony Ennis addressed the previous issue of double parking and new parking restrictions are now in place.
4.Update on the Salford Central Regeneration
Phil was unable to attend the meeting but gave an update via an email which Karen referred to. Brief details below:
Vimto Gardens
Construction work is progressing well and on programme. The level of interest from potential purchasers has exceeded expectations and there will be a launch of the marketing suite in Spring 2014. A further update to be provided at the next meeting.
The Salford Star recently reported on Muse Developments/Galliford Try being connected with the waste problems on Upper Wharf Street. The article was incorrect as it did not check with either Muse or Galliford Try before publishing the article whether this was the case. Galliford Try have categorically stated that no waste has been sent to the Upper Wharf Street site and its records support this. All the waste generated on the Vimto Gardens project is transported by certified waste carriers and disposed of at certified/registered disposal points in accordance with Galliford Try’s company standard for waste management. Duty of Care notes showing where the waste was sent are kept on site and Galliford Try would be willing to show these to anybody who would like to examine them.
Premier Inn
All agreements have now completed and Bowmer and Kirkland has started work on site. Completion of the hotel is planned for September 2014. The Premier Innhave agreed to employ a percentage of staff locally and specifically targeting NEETs (those Not in Education, Employment or Training) and the long term unemployed.
MSCP
A reserved matters application has now been submitted and works are proposed to start on site in January 2014.Plans will be circulated to the Forum separately.
Demolitions
BT issues of ownership are being addressed which are causing delays to the demolitions.
The Old Post Office demolition works have now commenced.
Jon Monk enquired about the Wall Art project. This is a project by artist Jen Wu where the bricks from one wall of the Old Bank Theatre will be moved brick by brick and transported further up Chapel Street where it will be rebuilt and remain as a public sculpture for up to three years. This project has been featured in the M3 magazine. Details of the project to be circulated to the Forum.
5.Environmental Problems – Upper Wharf Street
Michael Cullen referred to the public meeting he attended on Tuesday 17th September 2013 regarding the problems on Upper Wharf Street. The site had been well managed in the past but there have been problems since the site changed ownership within the last year. There have been problems with flies, odour and dust throughout the summer. The Environment Agency have put restrictions and timescales on the site and they are not allowed to accept any more rubbish there. They have been given to the end of November 2013 to sort the problems out and reduce the pile of rubbish, so we need to wait and see what happens until then, but how can we sort this for the future years. They are processing the rubbish but they need to try and get it off the site.
Councillor Ord asked whether Vimto Gardens will sell with these environmental problems being so close.
Andy Salmon referred to the Manchester Bolton Bury Canal restoration plans with British Waterways. However there is no funding to deliver this. It was suggested British Waterways’ successors – Canals and Rivers Trust – should be invited to a future meeting.
Linda Sidwell referred to planning permission being granted for another site near Sainsburys. Karen Hirst to check this as she wasnot aware of the application. Stephen Talboys asked whether this can be linked in with the Local Plan discussions. The issue of the designation for the area bounded by Regent Road and the A6 was discussed.
Karen Hirst to follow this up with Chris Findley, Head of Planning at Salford City Council and to report back to the next meeting.
6.X1 Developments – Former Magistrates’ Court and Bumblebee Site
David Kirby from DK Architects attended the meeting on behalf of X1 Developments and is happy to attend the next few meetings. David showed the plans/images for the 122 studios and apartments proposed for the former Magistrates’ Court. They are keeping as many features as possible. The Head of English Heritage NW has been advising. There are currently 26 car parking spaces planned as part of the development, though they are trying to obtain additional spaces. They are hoping to start work immediately once they own the building, and want to set up a development office to showcase the apartments.
Bumblebee site – they want to start in a few weeks and set up a showcase apartment in the Magistrates’ Court too.
Jon Monk asked how they had consulted with businesses – and was trying to see how they were going to fit in with the overall plans of the community. There have been briefings with Salford City Council officers. David attending this Forum meeting is the starting point to discuss with businesses/local community.
A question was raised about the workspace in the basement referred to in the press releases. David explained that they had built this into their planning application if people wanted an opportunity to expand – or local enterprises wanted to use the space – something to be discussed in the future. Funding is in place to adapt the workspace.
Karen suggested setting up a consultation event which David is happy to look into. Businesses/local residents could use this event to discuss and influence the plans for both the Magistrates’ Court and the Bumblebee site. David and Dave Norbury to discuss appropriate dates/times/venue for this. All local Ward Councillors to be invited to this consultation. The planning application is due to go to Planning Panel in November.
Neil Harvey expressed his disappointment that no consultation was undertaken before the application was submitted. He is extremely concerned about the legacy of the building and thinks it is a little late in the day to be starting a consultation exercise. He thinks small units will present a problem for the years to come as it will be a long term lease – and asked how it will be managed. He thinks it will have a negative effect on the residential area and that the north side of Chapel Street is being neglected.
Vincent enquired about the landscaping, but David said they had not got down to that level of detail yet.
Sara Noonan asked whether any parts of the Court or cells would be available after development for film crews. David responded to say that in the redeveloped building none of those spaces will be available as they will all be developed as flats.
In response to a question from Helen Roach, it was confirmed that the parking spaces for the Magistrates’ Court will be on the Cleminson Street car park. The Bumblebee site does not have any parking provision.
7.Former Brown Brothers Building – Update from Artisan
This item has been deferred to December 2013.
8.RIBA Design Competition – Update
Dan Welsh referred to the new bridge connection between the Crescent and the Meadows. An international design competition was launched in June 2013. The deadline was the beginning of September and 172 designs were submitted. These have been shortlisted down to 19 and there is a judging panel next Tuesday to shortlist these further down to four. The public will be invited to look at the designs and comment. A final decision is inspected by November 2013.
Neil Harvey thinks this is a good initiative and Andy Salmon, as Chair of the Friends of Peel Park, agrees. Stephen Talboys to check what message the students are receiving regarding Peel Park. A Heritage Lottery Fund bid has been submitted for Peel Park – the decision should be known in November 2013.
9.Planning applications – update and status
Karen Hirst ran through the list of planning applications which were circulated.
10.Key Events – attendees to bring along fliers/bulletins for distribution
No forthcoming events.
11.Issues for future agendas
- Support for new businesses – Growth Hub (Bernie Vaudrey/Jon Monk);
- Middlewood– Scarborough Group;
- X1 Developments – Former Magistrates’ Court and Bumblebee Site;
- Former Brown Brothers building – Artisan - update;
- Canals and Rivers Trust;
- Former Police Station;
- Local Plan and employment uses in this area;
- Crime Statistics;
- Future format of the Chapel Street Regeneration Forum; and
- Update on Vimto Gardens.
12. Next meeting – date and venue
The next meeting is to be held onFriday 13th December 2013 at 11.00 a.m. – venue to be confirmed.
Proposed future meetings dates are:
Friday 14th March 2014 at 11.00 a.m.(venue to be confirmed at the December meeting)
Friday 20th June 2014 at 11.00 a.m.
Friday 12th September 2014 at 11.00 a.m.
Friday 12th December 2014 at 11.00 a.m.
13. Any other business
Andy mentioned that Network Rail are currently using the Middlewood site as a compound – there are not any other works going on at that site at the moment.
Tony Ennis referred to the official opening of Salford Crescent Station at 10.30 a.m. on Tuesday 15th October 2013 which anyone is welcome to attend.
ACTIONS FROM THE MEETING
Action / Target Date / LeadUniversity of Salford – any issues to be monitored / Ongoing / Stephen Talboys
MSCP – plans to be circulated to the Forum / Phil Mayall
The Wall Art Project – details to be circulated / ASAP / Julie Tracey (completed)
Planning permission for another waste site near Sainsburys – Karen to check this a she wasn’t aware of the application / ASAP / Karen Hirst
Areas included in the Local Plan / Karen Hirst/Chris Findley
Consultation event to be set up regarding the former Magistrates Court / ASAP / Dave Norbury/ David Kirby
Stephen Talboys to check what message the students are receiving regarding Peel Park. / Stephen Talboys
Details of the official opening of the Crescent Station to be circulated to the Forum / ASAP / Julie Tracey (completed)
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