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Altrincham residents campaign against development plans
THREE Altrincham residents who launched a website to campaign against plans for a multi-million pound town centre development have received backing from scores of supporters.
Sarah Walmsley, Val Pastore and Ken Dickins, of Oakfield Road, established Against Altair' ahead of £150m plans between Trafford Council and private developer David McLean Nikal to demolish the existing ice rink bordering the same road and Moss Lane.
This would be replaced by a huge new centre containing space for retail, offices, restaurants, apartments, a new rink, a hotel, a health club, a climbing wall and car park.
Sarah said: "So many people haven't even heard about Altair and just aren't aware about what's going on, which is an outrage. However, it's probably the most significant development in the town in 30 years.
"There are no notices up about it around the town centre. You could walk around Altrincham all day and not know what's going on and I can't believe we haven't been properly informed save for a very limited number of residents."
The website, which can be found at www.altairdevelopment.co.uk, went live on March 8 and has already attracted hundreds of unique users. The site details the group's key concerns and offers visitors the chance to object to the plans.
Major issues highlighted online include the prospect of television signal interference, noise, air and light pollution, fears over the centre encouraging anti-social behaviour and concerns about the size of the structure.
Sarah explained how she received a letter from the council in January giving her 19 days to respond to the proposal.
She added: "There were also pages and pages of documents to go through and understand and it was all very complex. We had to be very thorough when we tried to get it down to the main points."
Peter Noble of Altrincham Town Centre Partnership said: "The partnership supports the Altair regeneration site. We do though have reservations on parking and traffic flows. We also had reservations on architectural design and finishes but believe this has been addressed. We would hope that the planning permission will be granted and we will deal with our reservations prior to the detail planning stage.
"I am aware of the website campaign. I am very much in support of their campaign for fair treatment of those being displaced by the development. It seems as though the larger concerns are being well looked after but smaller owners such as the house residents and smaller businesses like Ken Steel's Pet Supplies are being given a poor deal. I will be taking this up with Nikal McClean and Trafford Council at the earliest opportunity."
Managing director of Nikal, Nick Payne, explained that Altair has been four years in the making. He said: "Since David McLean Nikal was chosen as developers by Trafford in 2004, we have worked very closely with many interested and influential parties, including the Stamford Quarter, Altrincham Chamber and the Town Centre Partnership, to come up with the present scheme. Altair will truly be a world class development for the town.
"I was brought up in Altrincham, so were my parents and my grandparents before me, and although we develop all over the UK Altair is special and close to my heart because it is my home town.
"We have already persuaded Manchester Phoenix to relocate from Manchester to Altrincham and our efforts have resulted in a new ice rink. This is temporary as Altair will provide the new permanent ice rink next to the existing leisure centre.
"Altair will provide a much needed boost to Altrincham bringing huge economic benefits including 2,000 new jobs. The scheme also enables the much awaited upgrade of the bus station with a new bridge link across the platforms.
Mr Payne added: "Our scheme provides fabulous new facilities including a 135 bedroom hotel and new shops, allowing Altrincham to compete as a quality shopping destination. Our scheme has doubled the current car parking provision."
When questioned about resident's objections, Mr Payne said: "I have personally visited the objectors on Oakfield Road several times, and worked hard to accommodate their concerns. A three day public consultation held in November last year, resulted in some very positive feedback from residents and local businesses, with 81 per cent of those who came showing their support for the scheme, which proves they are a minority."
A council spokesperson added: "The council has taken every step to keep residents informed about the Altair development.
"A public exhibition about the development was held before the planning application had been submitted to the council, together with presentations by the developers at the Altrincham neighbourhood forum.
"The council advertised the application widely through individual notification letters sent out to residents and businesses and site notices being displayed at several locations in the vicinity of the site.
The application is also available for viewing on the council's planning website at www.trafford.gov.uk.
An outline planning application will be submitted to the council's planning committee on Thursday March 13.
4:00pm Wednesday 12th March 2008
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CommentPosted by: Over my dead body on 4:47pm Wed 12 Mar 08
I have only recently seen these plans and they do seem to be very large scale and drawing the focus away from Altrincham town centre, I would also need some convincing that the town requires more restaurants or bars than it already has , let alone a hotel. The Lesiure Centre may suffer from competition from a new gym. However the ice rink would be welcome as would some redevelopment and general "sprucing up" of the proposed site which is a bit of an eyesore, along with the renovation of some of the historic buildings that remain empty.
It would appear to have more positives for Altrincham than negatives when you consider having to compete with the Trafford Centre and Manchester Arndale but will obviously affect those residents who live around it.
Are the protestors opposed to any development whatsoever, or are they looking for the developers to scale back the plans so that a compromise can be reached and the site redeveloped to provide new and required facilities for Altrincham without having too detrimental affect on the quality of life for those who live near the site.
I have only recently seen these plans and they do seem to be very large scale and drawing the focus away from Altrincham town centre, I would also need some convincing that the town requires more restaurants or bars than it already has , let alone a hotel. The Lesiure Centre may suffer from competition from a new gym. However the ice rink would be welcome as would some redevelopment and general "sprucing up" of the proposed site which is a bit of an eyesore, along with the renovation of some of the historic buildings that remain empty.
It would appear to have more positives for Altrincham than negatives when you consider having to compete with the Trafford Centre and Manchester Arndale but will obviously affect those residents who live around it.
Are the protestors opposed to any development whatsoever, or are they looking for the developers to scale back the plans so that a compromise can be reached and the site redeveloped to provide new and required facilities for Altrincham without having too detrimental affect on the quality of life for those who live near the site.
Posted by: Paul M., Altrincham on 7:41am Thu 13 Mar 08
It is bigger because Altair had a £5million windfall when the land provided to them by Trafford Council was apparently foolishly undervalued. The Council spokesperson should explain this and why it was not publicised at the time.
It is bigger because Altair had a £5million windfall when the land provided to them by Trafford Council was apparently foolishly undervalued. The Council spokesperson should explain this and why it was not publicised at the time.
Posted by: Jack Toft, Alty on 9:17am Thu 13 Mar 08
This is great, just what Alty needs. 10 people sulking because they can't watch Eastenders anymore won't get in the way of this!
This is great, just what Alty needs. 10 people sulking because they can't watch Eastenders anymore won't get in the way of this!
Posted by: Sarah Walmsley, Altrincham on 12:24pm Thu 13 Mar 08
As one of the residents of Oakfield Road behind the Against Altair campaign (www.altairdevelopme
nt.co.uk), I can assure readers that we are not "sulking" because we won't have TV signals. In fact, the issue of TV signal interference doesn't affect us - it actually affects hundreds of residents for about 1km in the opposite direction from the Winter Hill transmitter. That's a lot of people! I'd also like to say that anyone in our position would be objecting. It will have a hugely detrimental effect on our living standards and we have a right to defend ourselves. Funnily enough, we are not actually against the whole thing. We just think that the development should be scaled back so that it is more in keeping with the town, that our amenities are considered more carefully, that adequate alternative car parking should be made available through the construction period and that the issue of traffic congestion is addressed because the roads around the development will not cope with much more traffic regardless of that they do to improve two junctions. I have one question for readers - would you like to be in our shoes? If not, then there is something wrong with this planning application. If yes, well, perhaps we can agree rental terms!
As one of the residents of Oakfield Road behind the Against Altair campaign (www.altairdevelopme
nt.co.uk), I can assure readers that we are not "sulking" because we won't have TV signals. In fact, the issue of TV signal interference doesn't affect us - it actually affects hundreds of residents for about 1km in the opposite direction from the Winter Hill transmitter. That's a lot of people! I'd also like to say that anyone in our position would be objecting. It will have a hugely detrimental effect on our living standards and we have a right to defend ourselves. Funnily enough, we are not actually against the whole thing. We just think that the development should be scaled back so that it is more in keeping with the town, that our amenities are considered more carefully, that adequate alternative car parking should be made available through the construction period and that the issue of traffic congestion is addressed because the roads around the development will not cope with much more traffic regardless of that they do to improve two junctions. I have one question for readers - would you like to be in our shoes? If not, then there is something wrong with this planning application. If yes, well, perhaps we can agree rental terms!
Posted by: Sarah Walmsley, Altrincham on 1:23pm Thu 13 Mar 08
I would like to make two further comments relating to statements made in this article.
Firstly, the public consultation only attracted 230 people and only 66 left any comments. 81% of those may have been supporting, but it's hardly the kind of data that demonstrates overwhelming support from the town's population!
Secondly, it is stated that Altair will double the current car parking provision. This statement should be considered along with the fact that the temporary ice rink (part of Altair) actually HALVED the car parking provision last year, so all Altair will do is replace what was there in the first place! Consider also that Altair will increase the demand for car parking due to additional visitors and the town will actually be WORSE off!
I would like to make two further comments relating to statements made in this article.
Firstly, the public consultation only attracted 230 people and only 66 left any comments. 81% of those may have been supporting, but it's hardly the kind of data that demonstrates overwhelming support from the town's population!
Secondly, it is stated that Altair will double the current car parking provision. This statement should be considered along with the fact that the temporary ice rink (part of Altair) actually HALVED the car parking provision last year, so all Altair will do is replace what was there in the first place! Consider also that Altair will increase the demand for car parking due to additional visitors and the town will actually be WORSE off!
Posted by: Andy, Sale on 1:47pm Thu 13 Mar 08
That area is a state. The car park is a death trap and the current ice rink is only a temp structure. That's been known before it was built. Its been known it will be replaced with a large better development for years. It won't take anything away from the town centre, Tesco didn't and neither did that cinema. The town centre is also having loads of money spent on it and this will attract people back to the town on the whole. It will bring jobs and money. A nice new development or a rubbish car park plus a temp ice rink? I know what I'd rather have.
That area is a state. The car park is a death trap and the current ice rink is only a temp structure. That's been known before it was built. Its been known it will be replaced with a large better development for years. It won't take anything away from the town centre, Tesco didn't and neither did that cinema. The town centre is also having loads of money spent on it and this will attract people back to the town on the whole. It will bring jobs and money. A nice new development or a rubbish car park plus a temp ice rink? I know what I'd rather have.
Posted by: James, Altrincham on 2:39pm Thu 13 Mar 08
This is NIMBYism at it's very worse. You'd think that these people actually want Altrincham to fail.
Get off your high horse and stop holding this town back. I cannot believe that someone above said that the competition to the leisure centre from the new gym is a BAD thing. Astonishing. And as for there potentially being too many bars, restaurants, hotels - well, that's for the market to decide isn't it? If there isn't enough demand for them then they'll close down and be replaced by something else.
This area desperately needs regeneration and job creation and we shouldn't let a few moaners hold us back.
If certain residents don't like progress, maybe they should move to Albania where the pace of life will be more to their suiting.
This is NIMBYism at it's very worse. You'd think that these people actually want Altrincham to fail.
Get off your high horse and stop holding this town back. I cannot believe that someone above said that the competition to the leisure centre from the new gym is a BAD thing. Astonishing. And as for there potentially being too many bars, restaurants, hotels - well, that's for the market to decide isn't it? If there isn't enough demand for them then they'll close down and be replaced by something else.
This area desperately needs regeneration and job creation and we shouldn't let a few moaners hold us back.
If certain residents don't like progress, maybe they should move to Albania where the pace of life will be more to their suiting.
Posted by: Joan Walmsley, Former Trafford resident on 3:30pm Thu 13 Mar 08
First of all, may I make it clear that I have an interest in this because I am the mother of one of the people behind the "Against Altair" website. I think it is only fair to declare that before making my comments.
Having said that, I would beg readers to put themselves in the shoes of the people who live opposite the proposed development and read their words carefully. They have said they are not against some development and improvements to the current awful state of the car park in the interests of bringing jobs and ecomonic development to the town. However, what they ARE pointing out is that there are real issues about car parking, congestion, pollution etc, which do not appear to have been properly thought through and certainly have not been properly consulted about. In addition, all the people who live in the houses on Oakfield Road will have their quality of life seriously reduced by the sheer enormity of this proposed development and life during the construction phase will be a nightmare. Yes, of course, we must not stand in the way of progress. But, in a democracy, we should take into account the major effect on the lives of a small group of council tax payers in the borough as well. Their lives matter too. Can we not find a sensible solution that will bring the potential benefits to the town without the very damaging effects these proposals will have on the lives of these 12 households?
First of all, may I make it clear that I have an interest in this because I am the mother of one of the people behind the "Against Altair" website. I think it is only fair to declare that before making my comments.
Having said that, I would beg readers to put themselves in the shoes of the people who live opposite the proposed development and read their words carefully. They have said they are not against some development and improvements to the current awful state of the car park in the interests of bringing jobs and ecomonic development to the town. However, what they ARE pointing out is that there are real issues about car parking, congestion, pollution etc, which do not appear to have been properly thought through and certainly have not been properly consulted about. In addition, all the people who live in the houses on Oakfield Road will have their quality of life seriously reduced by the sheer enormity of this proposed development and life during the construction phase will be a nightmare. Yes, of course, we must not stand in the way of progress. But, in a democracy, we should take into account the major effect on the lives of a small group of council tax payers in the borough as well. Their lives matter too. Can we not find a sensible solution that will bring the potential benefits to the town without the very damaging effects these proposals will have on the lives of these 12 households?
Posted by: jimmy, sale on 4:17pm Thu 13 Mar 08
Take away the car park and you take away the shopper.
Take away the car park and you take away the shopper.
Posted by: jimmy, sale on 4:19pm Thu 13 Mar 08
Take away the car park and you take away the shopper.
Take away the car park and you take away the shopper.
Posted by: woody, Timperley on 9:30pm Thu 20 Mar 08
What a wonderful vista the opposing residents currently enjoy. Development of this site is not a new idea sprung on a whim. The local authority has planned regeneration of this area for decades but lacked the competency to deliver it.
What a wonderful vista the opposing residents currently enjoy. Development of this site is not a new idea sprung on a whim. The local authority has planned regeneration of this area for decades but lacked the competency to deliver it.
Posted by: Eamonn, Bowdon Vale on 10:37pm Sun 23 Mar 08
The proposals are an over-development for profit and an architectural eyesore. Altrincham does not need any more starkly 'modern architecture' - lord knows that the Stamford Quarter, the Grafton tower and mall and the other hideous 70s office blocks have already scarred Altrincham beyond its beautiful Victorian and Edwardian splendour.
Yes, the ice rink is a good idea, yes, extra retail space would be a bonus, but it does not need to be on such an overbearing or modern scale. Medium-scale development in semi-traditional styles would be a far better investment with greater economic sustainability.
People won't want to come in the long term to some small suburb for striking modernist architecture in a chic urban setting - if they want that then Manchester city centre, the Lowry Centre etc. are just half an hour away. Altrincham needs to emphasise its roots and market town heritage rather than make another step towards architectural and economic hubris.
The proposals are an over-development for profit and an architectural eyesore. Altrincham does not need any more starkly 'modern architecture' - lord knows that the Stamford Quarter, the Grafton tower and mall and the other hideous 70s office blocks have already scarred Altrincham beyond its beautiful Victorian and Edwardian splendour.
Yes, the ice rink is a good idea, yes, extra retail space would be a bonus, but it does not need to be on such an overbearing or modern scale. Medium-scale development in semi-traditional styles would be a far better investment with greater economic sustainability.
People won't want to come in the long term to some small suburb for striking modernist architecture in a chic urban setting - if they want that then Manchester city centre, the Lowry Centre etc. are just half an hour away. Altrincham needs to emphasise its roots and market town heritage rather than make another step towards architectural and economic hubris.
Posted by: Barry Knowles, Altrincham on 3:47pm Mon 14 Apr 08
No on eis objecting herNo one is objecting here to the development of Altrincham but the specious argument goes that all development is good development – and good for Altrincham. Clearly its not good for those residents that this development will overshadow (quite literally). “Not in my backyard” someone said derisively – well yes - this is not in my back yard but I would be objecting to it as well – as would every single one of us.
Im just amazed that the council blatantly disregards residents and favours profit hungry developers who wont even entertain the idea of sympathetic quality design that enhances areas and sustains a quality of life for everyone. Im equally amazed at the planning process itself and reports which are written that simply mask the truth and real impact of such “developments”. What we need here is a completely independent impact assessment of this build. Of course such lofty ideals pail in the face of the mighty pound – and this will probably go ahead under the thin veil of ‘progress’- and ultimately we will all regret not speaking out.
No on eis objecting herNo one is objecting here to the development of Altrincham but the specious argument goes that all development is good development – and good for Altrincham. Clearly its not good for those residents that this development will overshadow (quite literally). “Not in my backyard” someone said derisively – well yes - this is not in my back yard but I would be objecting to it as well – as would every single one of us.
Im just amazed that the council blatantly disregards residents and favours profit hungry developers who wont even entertain the idea of sympathetic quality design that enhances areas and sustains a quality of life for everyone. Im equally amazed at the planning process itself and reports which are written that simply mask the truth and real impact of such “developments”. What we need here is a completely independent impact assessment of this build. Of course such lofty ideals pail in the face of the mighty pound – and this will probably go ahead under the thin veil of ‘progress’- and ultimately we will all regret not speaking out.
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