Update: Referendum Passed!
For those of you not already aware, the referendum result was as follows:
- Yes: 1820 (78.15%)
- No: 509 (21.85%)
- Spoilt papers 5
- Turnout 22.6%
The Forum team say thanks for your support over 7 years of hard work!
Following the successful referendum outcome on 21 March, and as previously announced, the Marple Neighboorhood Forum held an AGM on Tuesday 26th March in Marple Library. This was to elect a committee that is ready for the new task ahead. Having written the plan and got it agreed, the Forum is now able to monitor and comment on planning applications as far as they relate to the Marple Plan.
The Forum will publish details of their next steps after the AGM.
CONTACT MARPLE NEIGHBOURHOOD FORUM
They have a Facebook page and a website with ways of contacting them. You can also get in touch by e-mail at
For a direct personal contact, the Chair is Malcolm Allan on 07850-494583
Referendum Thursday 21 March 2024!
The Marple Neighbourhood Forum are delighted to confirm the Plan will be going to referendum on 21st March.
This was announced by the Council on 15th February.
All those in the Plan area will be getting a voting card through the post from the council. The arrangements are the same as for any other election. You will be able to vote at your normal polling station between 7am and 10pm. If you are a postal voter you will get the voting paper by post as usual. Full details are on the Council website and on your voting card.
The question on the voting paper is:
“Do you want Stockport Metropolitan Borough Council to use the Neighbourhood Plan for Marple to help it decide planning applications in the neighbourhood area?”
The full final plan with a large number of supporting appendices are on the MNF web site and the council website with a hard copy in the Library. There are 18 policies covering things like protection of green areas, footpaths, canal environs and of community spaces and buildings, green policies on buildings, protection of heritage and so on.
Marple NF hope people will turnout and vote “Yes” to get the Plan incorporated into local regulations.
After this, if a positive result, the Forum will enter a new phase and be a statutory consultee on all planning applications. Their job will be to ensure the regulations in the Plan and the spirit of the Plan are reflected in planning decisions. This is a different role for them and they are holding their AGM quickly after the referendum to ensure they are structured accordingly. This will be on Tuesday 26th March at 7.00pm, in Marple Library.
If the community votes YES in the referendum, it will be proposed to split the team into those working on planning applications and those looking at promoting the aspirations in the Plan.
Thank you for supporting the Marple Neighbourhood Forum to get this far.
They are looking forward to working with the community going forward and beyond the referendum.
CONTACT MARPLE NEIGHBOURHOOD FORUM
They have a Facebook page and a website with ways of contacting them. You can also get in touch by e-mail at
For a direct personal contact, the Chair is Malcolm Allan on 07850-494583
May 2023 Update
The final draft and all the associated documentation was submitted to Stockport Council in May 2023. After much hard work from the Forum committee and their topic teams they can now move through the final stages of the approval process, which includes an independent expert examination of the plan, and a local referendum.
View the submitted final version of the Marple Neighbourhood Plan and associated documents.
For latest news from the Marple Neighbourhood Plan Team visit: https://ourmarpleplan.co.uk/
Formal Public Consultation started 8 February 2023
Marple Neighbourhood Forum has prepared a Neighbourhood Plan for Marple and Stockport Council is now seeking your views on its content until 26 March 2023.
Marple Neighbourhood Plan sets out planning policies that, once adopted, will guide future proposals for development in the area until 2038. The Localism Act 2011 gives communities the ability to shape the future of their area and the types of development they would like to see. The forum was set up in 2016 and has engaged with residents, businesses and organisations in the area via newsletters, topic group discussions, meetings and surveys in order to understand what the key issues are. Views have also been sought more widely using a stall in the town centre and on the forum’s website.
Following a round of local consultation on a draft plan in Winter 2021/22, the forum has now officially submitted the Plan and supporting documents to the council to undergo a formal public consultation under Regulation 16 of the Act. After this the plan will be subject to an independent Examination and, if successful, will be brought forward for a Referendum.
The plan includes chapters with policies and aspirations on the following topics:
- Town Centre – Enhancing character and appearance, support for a new food store.
- Getting Around – Encouraging walking and cycling and development in areas with good public transport access.
- Housing – Supporting housing that is affordable and serves a range of needs.
- Natural Capital and Climate Change – Safeguarding open spaces and supporting the efficient and clean use of energy.
- Community Space – Ensuring opportunities for enhancing wellbeing and staying active are protected such as sports facilities, indoor community facilities and canal towpaths.
- Heritage and Tourism – Protecting the character and appearance of local heritage assets and facilities that encourage visits.
- Business and Employment – Protecting existing employment land and encouraging the growth of new business.
The council is inviting your comments on the proposals, and specifically to what extent you agree or disagree with them.
Please view the Plan and supporting documents and provide your feedback via the link at the bottom of this page. The consultation runs until Sunday 26 March 2023 at 23:59pm.
The plan is also available to view on deposit at the following locations during staffed hours:
- Civic Complex, Piccadilly, Stockport, SK1 3XE (Mon – Thu 8.30am to 5pm, Fri 8.30am to 4.30pm)
- One Stockport Hub, 16-22 Merseyway, Stockport, SK1 1RA (Mon – Fri 9am – 5.30pm, Sat 9am – 4pm)
- Marple Library, Memorial Park, Marple, Stockport, SK6 6BA*
- High Lane Library, Buxton Road, High Lane, Stockport, SK6 8DX*
*The opening times for Stockport libraries can be found here.
Responses to the consultation may be made:
Via the council's website using this link: https://consultation.stockport.gov.uk/planning/marple-neighbourhood-plan/
By email to
By post to the following address: Stockport Council, Planning Policy, Stopford House, Piccadilly, Stockport, SK1 3XE
