High Lane Residents' Association

Date: 1^st May 2025                                                                                                 Time: 8pm

Venue: High Lane Village Hall

Present: Caroline Smith, David Burks, Sue Forrester, Cllr Shan Alexander and Cllr Aron Thornley

Apologies: Eryl Hughes, Barry Sequeira, Angie Sequeira, Darrell Williams and John Baker

• Welcome given by Caroline Smith and a thank you to everyone for attending.

• Minutes of the last meeting – approved.

• Police and Crime Report

  There was no police presence at the meeting although an invitation to attend had been emailed. Caroline would contact them to request a member of the police force would be in attendance in June.

• Finances – read out by Caroline on behalf of John

The report covers the April financial period

The HLRA General account

John apologised that there was a typographical error on the April meeting report for March finances. He wrote in the report that we would carry forward to April £5,582.35. The actual carries forward figure was £5,482.44.

March starting balance £5,515.69

Income £ 40,00

Expense £ 73.25

March closing balance £5,482.44

So, we started April with a balance of £5,482.44

Income

We had no income during April.

Expenditure

The outgoings from the account for April were:

1. 1. The new Lloyds bank account monthly charge of £4.25

   2. One payment to IONOS for the website monthly charge of £9.00

   3. A payment to the Village Hall for the April HLRA mtg of £20.00

The total expense being £33.25

Balance going forward to May is £ 5,449.19

(It was mentioned that a £5 subscription had been received)

• Planning applications

1. 1. Virgin Media O2.  DC/095582. Proposed cabinet site notification STKP-X-YE. The corner opposite 43 Andrew Lane. OFN

   2. Thai development. DC/082338  Discharge of condition 23 of planning approval.  OFN

   3. 43, Grasmere Cres.  DC/ 095448. Demolition of side garage. Erection of two storey, flat roof extension and associated internal reconfiguration.  OFN

•  Reporting Back:

  • Spring Planting – 2500 daffodils have been planted around the village and in Hartley Woods through December and January and 400 tulips also planted in Hartley Woods. Everyone commented on how lovely the planters are looking and thanks were given to Alison and Warren and their team for all their hard work in keeping the village nice for residents to appreciate. Jonathan Headlam who heads up the greenspaces and verges on behalf of SMBC has been contacted by Caroline to ask for any available spare planters and a bench for the triangular area of land near the milestone. Colin obtains the plants for the planters in the village and he is reimbursed with monies from the book table in the doctor’s surgery. Also out-of-date bulbs are donated from the council and garden centres otherwise they would go to landfill. Trees have also been newly planted although one has been snapped outside 30 Andrew Lane – it has been reported to SMBC.

• • Outdoor Gym – funds are still required for the outdoor gym project. David reported that ideally £10,000 to £15,000 is needed and donated funds so far amount to £4500 to £5000. David has recently put in an application for a grant from Spar supermarket. Other suggestions put forward were to ask Tesco Supermarket about their tokens scheme – you can apply to Tesco to have a contributions box in the store and when their customers are given a blue token at the checkout, they can vote for their favourite charity to receive a grant by placing their token in their preferred box. The box that receives the least tokens gets £500; the middle box gets £1000 and then the box that gets the most tokens receives £1500. David would investigate further. David explained that Darrell is working on a thermometer-based funds calculator to be included on the HLRA website. England Sports Trust was mentioned and The Scouts Association and perhaps other businesses in High Lane could be approached eg Marchington Stone who may help with the installation of the equipment. David had received 2 quotes for equipment from Wickstead and Complan and he would ideally like another company to quote and is going to ask Jonathan’s help with this. Any quotes have to come from companies specified by SMBC.

• AOB

  • Building work in High Lane. Eryl had sent an email with concerns about individuals seen measuring land around the village:

    “I had found out a bit more about the people measuring on Windlehurst Rd. They measured the little park next to the Methodist chapel. I don't  think the park is very well used. They also measured part of the field behind the park. There were measurements taken further down Windlehurst towards the A6 around 150/200 yard from the park. On the right there is an electric substation with good access to the fields beyond. At this location there is also a footpath that leads on to Middlewood Way. A gentleman told me that he will come to the meeting tomorrow and knows more about what was going on.  Can this item be included in AOB I think it is important that residents are made aware of what is going on. If any councillors are present it will be interesting to see what they say. My suspicion is that it might be future house building?”

    Shan replied in answer to Eryl’s query that there are people measuring land all over the Stockport area – she had heard of people measuring land on Threaphurst Lane. This is causing agitation amongst residents but as far as she knows SMBC haven’t sent anyone. Aron agreed and it was a question of "watch this space" and it was recommended to check the SMBC planning website. Nothing can be done until a report is issued by SMBC showing the designation of green and grey belt areas. A planning document is due to be released in 2 to 3 months’ time and then independent surveyors and planners will be introduced. Shan went on to say that SMBC have been asked by the government to double the amount of building that was originally agreed on and SMBC don’t have enough builders to build that quantity and quality of new housing. Shan went on to say that it’s a huge overall picture and not an easy issue to solve for the council. David spoke about the impact that more building work would have on the A6 along with infrastructure, drainage etc. It was also noted that the High Lane Village Forum are very informative about planning/building matters and supportive as far as High Lane Village is concerned. Aron told the meeting that the 5-year A555 report was published in April and it states that the A6 is “a significant problem in High Lane and Disley” therefore it could be an advantage for High Lane that the A6 is named in the report. Aron also continued to say that more building would escalate the problems with pollution and wear and tear on the road surfaces.

• • Bus services for High Lane to Stepping Hill Hospital – Eryl had emailed a question for the HLRA: 

    “Do you think as the residents committee, can we write to the Mayor, Andy Burnham [as follows]?

    With the building work and restricted parking at Stepping Hill. Why can't one bus on the half hour and on the hour from the P&R call into the hospital, then on to Stockport, likewise the same  back to the P&R? Currently by bus, the nearest bus stop is either opposite Sainsbury's or down the A6 by the bathroom shop. For many people, especially the elderly and those with movement issues, [this] would be a very welcomed service. I am sure that residents of the village and higher up the valley would welcome this service and also serve the Poynton area”

    It was agreed that a circular local bus route linking High Lane; Park & Ride; Hazel Grove Station; Aldi/Sainsbury’s in Hazel Grove and Stepping Hill Hospital would be beneficial to High Lane residents, especially those with mobility issues. David had previously suggested this to Andy Burnham explaining that the bus could turn round via Windlehurst Road and Andrew Lane. These roads are already part of a school bus route. Shan mentioned that she had already contacted Grace Baynham (Cabinet Member for Parks, Highways & Transport Services) asking for the 192 route to be extended to High Lane and admitted that public transport within the village is poor. Recently on the Radio Manchester Thursday phone-in with Mike Sweeney and Mayor Andy Burnham, Andy had remarked that High Lane village would be undergoing a transport review. Aron thinks that this will happen in January 2026. The 199 bus timetable is very much subject to hold-ups on the A555 to and from the airport and any roadworks taking place between Buxton and Mcr Airport. It was thought that there is a scheme available whereby residents with appointment for Stepping Hill Hospital could pay for a parking pass at Asda or Sainsbury’s by clicking on a link included in their appointment letter.

  • Marple Neighbourhood Network Meeting – late information was given to the attendees of a meeting that is taking place on Friday 2^nd May at 10am in the Village Hall - entrance by ticket only.

  • Safety Training course – Caroline asked if anyone was interested in taking part in the course to use tools safely to add their name to the list on the table. She went on to say that 8 people are needed for the course to be held locally.

  • Green Bin Stickers for High Lane bins – SMBC had informed Caroline that a sticker has to be purchased for the HLRA green bin for garden waste to be collected. Jonathan Headlam had suggested putting a business case together to present to SMBC to obtain a free sticker and Caroline asked Alison and Warren for their help in this. Alison and Warren asked Shan whether the Library green bin has to display a sticker and Shan recommended contacting the library.

  • Knit & Natter – Shan had information about a Knit & Natter group that is being held every Tuesday afternoon in the Library. The group has been established under the Health & Wellbeing for Stockport initiative which is concerned with helping people out of isolation and keeping the residents of Stockport fit and healthy. Shan would send more information to Caroline so it could be advertised on the High Lane website as the group is poorly attended at the moment.

  • Alderdale Road street sign – it was mentioned that the Alderdale Road street sign had rusted away. Caroline would report to SMBC.

  • A6 MARR report – according to the HLVF WhatsApp group , the 5-year A555 report was published in April. Caroline has invited Cllr Sue Stevenson (Head of Highways and Transportation for SMBC) to the HLRA meeting in [originally June but now deferred to] July, i.e. Thursday 3rd July 2025.  It was agreed by those present that the A6MARR report should be the only item on the agenda for that meeting and Caroline would confirm with the HLRA committee members absent from tonight's meeting.  It was also agreed that there would be no HLRA meeting in August – again Caroline would confirm with the HLRA committee members absent from tonight’s meeting.

The next HLRA meeting will be on Thursday 5th June 2025