THING OF THE WEEK
TAKING STOCK… Stockport Council’s draft local plan is out and the authority has stayed true to its promise to preserve the Green Belt. There is precisely zero new release of protected land in the updated plan, vindication for those who pushed for the council to pull out of the Greater Manchester spatial strategy in 2020.
As Stockport is 46.5% Green Belt, the pressure to deliver homes on brownfield sites has been cranked up considerably. The draft plan states that development on brownfield sites should “optimise density” and that the borough’s local centres have a “key role to play…to meet housing targets”. However, the idea of skyscrapers surrounding Bramhall’s village square is likely a non-starter.
Sean Keyes [right] is predicting glory for England on Sunday. Credit: via RDPR
Keyes, though, was confident, predicting the 2-1 victory that came to pass. Place North West contacted Keyes for his thoughts on Sunday’s meeting between England and Spain and here is what he said: “I am anticipating a more enjoyable game of football for the final. My prediction is a 1-1 score and England winning on penalties.” Keyes clearly has a very different idea of what constitutes enjoyable than most. He added: “In time, Gareth Southgate will be remembered as one of the greatest. Possibly as Sir Gareth.”
Crusader Mill in Manchester was among the regional winners. Credit: via Font Comms
SNUB… The North West has been completely overlooked in RIBA’s annual national awards this year. Not one of the schemes nominated for a regional gong made it onto the 26-strong list of national winners, which fight it out for the Stirling Prize. You can’t say it hasn’t been coming. In each of 2022 and 2023, only one North West project won through to the national list – Factory International and Manchester Jewish Museum respectively. Let’s hope the region’s architects can bounce back in 2025.
A new era. @Keir_Starmer @10DowningStreet @AngelaRayner @RachelReevesMP @hmtreasury pic.twitter.com/ttN5dIY7yx
— Tracy Brabin, Mayor of West Yorkshire (@MayorOfWY) July 9, 2024
LET ME TAKE A SELFIE… Is the tide of public opinion turning? There was a distinct mood of optimism as regional mayors gathered at 10 Downing Street for a meeting with Prime Minister Keir Starmer early this week. That positive spirit was captured best in a selfie taken by Mayor of West Yorkshire Tracy Brabin with the rest of the mayoral cohort at the iconic front door. Even the group’s lone Tory, Mayor of Tees Valley Ben Houchen, was spotted with a grin. Brabin captioned her picture “a new era”. Let’s hope all that goodwill on display this week proves to be deserved.
Get to know more about chess and learn the skills behind the brainteaser game at an event at Hammond’s Pond, Carlisle on Thursday 11 July between 4.30pm and 6pm.
We have installed outdoor chess tables at Hammond’s Pond and Bitts Park, Carlisle using government funding.
The… pic.twitter.com/6z97yfTp8j
— Cumberland Council (@CumberlandCoun) July 5, 2024
CHECKMATE… Angela Rayner has scrapped the Tory’s levelling up programme as one of her first acts as a cabinet minister. She branded it a gimmick and removed the term from the name of the department she now runs. It was distinctly average while it lasted but levelling up was not a total bust. There are plenty of projects across the region that have benefitted from millions of pounds handed out as part of the former government’s flagship agenda, just ask Blackpool. However, most will look back on the initiative as one that lacked the coherence and capital required to make meaningful change.
Levelling up may be dead but we will always have its legacy. Like the pair of chess tables unveiled at Hammond’s Pond and Bitts Park near Carlisle yesterday that nobody really wanted.
“the idea of skyscrapers surrounding Bramhall’s village square is likely a non-starter.”
Maybe, but as part of the evidence they’ve published alongside their local plan the council have something called a character and urban density study which looks at each of their district centres (and the town centre and the A6 corridor). It says that in Bramhall it might be possible to increase heights up to 5 storeys at the precinct. I’ve only just started looking at it but it looks like a really well considered (and really big) piece of evidence which has been prepared for the council by Planit.
By Tom Cousins
The comment about the chess table is a little rude – do you specifically know that nobody wants to play. If people spent less time on social media and more time playing chess we might be more mindful.
By Anonymous
Sadiq knows the score and his body language shows it.
By KING O' THE NORFFFF