report on public consultation

LAND AT LEEKBROOK, STAFFORDSHIRE MOORLANDS

APPLICATION FOR OUTLINE PLANNING CONSENT.

RESIDENTIAL AND ANCILLARY DEVELOPMENT.

MOORLAND AND CITY RAILWAYS LTD.

REPORT ON PUBLIC CONSULTATION.

1) VENUE FOXLOWE GALLERY, MARKET PLACE, CHURCH

STREET, LEEK.

2) DATES/TIMES THURSDAY/FRIDAY/SATURDAY, NOVEMBER 14TH,

15TH & 16TH : 2013.

EACH DAY - 10.00AM - 4.00PM.

THE EXHIBITION WAS FULLY MANNED AT ALL TIMES

BY AN MCR DIRECTOR OR MEMBER OF THE

PROFESSIONAL TEAM.

3) DOCUMENTS

ATTACHED a) Plans and written information which were on display at the

public consultation. b) Sample public consultation feedback sheet.

c) Letter sent to three local ward councillors and members of Cabinet.

d) Front Page article in Leek Post & Times published the day before the exhibition confirming open times/dates.

4) ATTENDANCE

& RESPONSE a) Approximate attendance - c. 300.

b) Feedback sheets completed - 24.

c) Emails received - 6.

d) Letters received - 1.

5) RESULTS OF

CONSULTATION

The exhibition at Foxlowe was titled "Reconnect Leek" as the overall project of

returning a railway connection to Leek funded by the proposed residential

development at Leekbrook.

Phase I was the residential and local station development on MCR's land at Leekbrook which, if successful, would lead to, and provide funding for Phase II, the

development of a new railway link from the existing MCR/CVR lines at Leekbrook into Leek.

The exhibition provided full information on both aspects of the overall project by way

of a series of plans and elevational drawings together with a full written account of

the proposals. An MCR director and/or member of the professional team was present

at all times to describe the project and answer questions.

All three days were marked by a steady stream of interested members of the public

and many took the opportunity to discuss the project, and the future of the railway, in

great detail. Visitors were from all age groups (other than children and teenagers who

were limited in number.) and appeared to be mostly resident in Leek, Leekbrook and other areas impacted by the overall CVR/MCR railway. The exhibition was attended

by a number of councillors.

An analysis of the comments received and the numbers recorded for each one is as follows :-

Phase I - Residential and Station Development at Leekbrook.

Positive Comments

1) Generally in favour of residential development/ good use of site. 21

2) Appropriate use of brownfield land. 2

3) Natural extension to current Leekbrook development 1

4) Good means of presenting urban sprawl beyond Leekbrook 1

5) Proposed Leekbrook station a good local facility 1

6) Good site for a self-build scheme 1

7) Would assist in meeting housing targets 1

Negative/Cautionary Comments

1) Need to ensure railway safety. 1

2) No access through existing residential (Wainhomes) 2

3) Footpaths should be well lit. 1

4) Possible resistance because of existing woodland. 1

5) Need for good footpath access around site. 3

6) Railways around the site boundaries may inhibit sales. 2

7) Road access should be through Leekbrook Way. 1

8) General concern that current access ( Leekbrook Junction.) would not be adequate. 4

9) Concern that the bridge under the Cauldon branch

was not wide enough. 2

10) Land potentially contaminated. 1

11) New Leekbrook station should be located at the existing platforms, 1

12) Comments as to the need for high quality design. 2

13) Layout too intensive. 1

14) Reference to the potentially negative impact of the S.T treatment plant. 2

15) Site remote from bus access. 1

Phase II - The railway extended into Leek funded by Phase I.

Positive Comments

1) General benefit to Leek in terms of improved travel links, tourism,

regeneration and economic growth of the town. 20

2) Likely to improve the viability of CVR. 1

3) Would provide a proper terminus for CVR. 1

4) Line should be extended to Macclesfield and JCB 1

Negative/Cautionary Comments

1) Need for retention and improvement of footpath access to Leek. 4

2) Need for new footpath access to the St. Edwards development. 3

3) Need for good links from the new Leek station to the town centre. 1

4) New Leek station should be close to Morrrisons rather than in Cornhill 4

5) Line to Stoke should be given priority over a line into Leek. 2

6) Strong opposition to the new line specifically :-

a) No need for railway into Leek.

b) Economic benefits to Leek questioned. 1

c) Motives of MCR/CVR questioned.

d) Proposal considered selfish and flawed as no MCR/CVR directors live in Leek.

( Note 6 a - d part of one response.)

General

All the above comments on both phases are taken from completed response forms, emails and one letter to MCR.

The issues raised and the general tone of the responses fully reflect the much greater

level of verbal comments made directly at the exhibition.

Conclusions

1) Both the verbal and written responses from the exhibition indicate a very high level

of general public support for both phases of the Reconnect Leek project.

2) The exhibition showed good appreciation of the economic benefits to the town as a

result of both phases of the project.

3) The response results showed an appreciation and recognition of a wide variety of

development considerations but with no one area proving to be of major concern.

The two areas with the most response (although still low in number.) were vehicular access to the site from the A520 and making the most of footpath opportunities in and

around the site, both of which are fully covered in the planning application.

David Kemp

Commercial Director Moorland & City Railways Ltd

Tel: 01782 338944 Email: [email protected]

THE TEAM

MASTERPLAN & HULME UPRIGHT BARCLAY HOUSE LAYOUT DESIGN. www.hulmeupright.co.uk 25 WHITWORTH STREET

MANCHESTER M1 5UG.

PLANNING, TRANSPORT, CAPITA SYMONDS GROUP LEAD OFFICE

ECOLOGICAL, HYDROLOGY, www.capitasymonds.co.uk CAPITA BLACKBURN ENVIRONMENTAL, LAND BUSINESS CENTRE

CONTAMINATION AND CASTLEWAY HOUSE

GEOLOGICAL CONSULTANTS. 17 PRESTON NEW ROAD

BLACKBURN BB2 1AU

OTHER PROJECT OFFICES

AT MANCHESTER,

CARLISLE, WORCESTER

AND SHEFFIELD.

TOURISM & ECONOMIC THE LEISURE CONSULTANCY 132/134 GT ANCOATS ST.

CONSULTANCY www.leisureconsulting.co.uk MANCHESTER M4 6DE.

THE BENEFITS

THE BENFITS OF RESTORING THE TOWN'S RAIL CONNECTION ARE CONSIDERABLE AND

CAN BE SUMMARISED :-

* IN LINE WITH LONGSTANDING COUNCIL POLICY, EG 1998 ADOPTED LOCAL PLAN AND

EMERGING LOCAL DEVELOPMENT FRAMEWORK AND CHURNET VALLEY

MASTERPLAN.

* AN IMMEDIATE SUSTAINABLE TRANSPORT LINK INTO THE MAJORITY OF THE

CHURNET VALLEY WITH ACCESS TO A NUMBER OF THE VALLEY'S MAJOR

OPPORTUNITY SITES, EG THE THOMAS BOLTON SITE AND MONEYSTONE QUARRY.

* THE AVAILABILITY OF SERVICES FROM LEEK EVENTUALLY TO ALTON TOWERS AND

STOKE.

* A KICKSTART TO THE CORNHILL REGENERATION AREA AND THE TOWN GENERALLY

THROUGH IMPROVED TRANSPORT LINKS.

SPECIFICALLY FROM THE CVR'S POINT OF VIEW:-

1) THE RAILWAY WOULD, FOR THE FIRST TIME, HAVE A RECOGNISABLE END

DESTINATION IN AN ACCESSIBLE LOCATION.

2) INDEPENDENT CONSULTANTS, THE LEISURE CONSULTANCY LTD HAVE CONCLUDED

IN A REPORT SPECIFICALLY COMMISSIONED FOR THIS PROJCET THAT A LEEK BASE

FOR THE CVR WOULD :-

A) LEAD TO AN INCREASE IN VISITOR NUMBERS TO THE RAILWAY TO A NEW LEVEL OF

C. 95-100,000 PA ( APPROXIMATELY 30,000 PA. MORE THAN THE CURRENT TOTAL.)

B) SUPPORT ADDITIONAL EMPLOYMENT AT THE RAILWAY AND ITS SUPPLY CHAIN OF 13

FTE JOBS.

C) CREATE ADDITIONAL GROSS TOURIST SPEND IN LEEK OF £950,000 PA.

PHASE 2

FOLLOWING THE PHASE 1 PLANNING APPROVAL AND SUBSEQUENT SALE OF THE

LEEKBROOK LAND :-

* MCR/CVR WILL SET UP A NEW COMPANY TO DELIVER THE RECONNECT LEEK PROJECT.

* MCR WILL FUND THE NEW COMPANY FROM THE LAND SALE PROCEEDS TO THE FULL

AMOUNT REQUIRED TO CONSTRUCT A NEW RAILWAY INTO LEEK.

* INITIAL SHAREHOLDINGS WILL GO TO MCR AND CVR AND WILL BE OFFERED TO

STAFFORDSHIRE MOORLANDS DISTRICT COUNCIL.

* SHARES IN THE NEW COMPANY WILL BE MADE AVAILABLE TO THE PUBLIC.

* MCR'S TECHNICAL CONSULTANTS, THE CAPITA SYMONDS GROUP, WILL WORK WITH

MCR, CVR AND THE COUNCIL TO DESIGN THE NEW RAILWAY INFRASTRUCTURE.

* DECISIONS TO FOLLOW ON INCLUDE THE AVAILABILITY OF THE TRACKBED TO LEEK (

OWNED BY THE COUNCIL.) AND THE CHOICE OF LOCATION FOR THE NEW STATION IN

LEEK.

* THE FINAL STAGE IS THE CONSTRUCTION OF THE LINE.

PHASE 1

* OUTLINE PLANNING APPLICATION TO BE MADE TO STAFFORDSHIRE MOORLANDS

DISTRICT COUNCIL FOR RESIDENTIAL AND ASSOCIATED DEVELOPMENT ON C. 9

ACRES OF LAND AT LEEKBROOK OWNED BY MOORLAND AND CITY RAILWAYS LTD.

* THE DEVELOPMENT WILL INCLUDE:-

• 89 HOUSES AND APARTMENTS.

• A NEW RAILWAY STATION/WITH SMALL CONVENIENCE STORE FOR LEEKBROOK.

• THE FULL REINSTATEMENT OF THE ORIGINAL LEEKBROOK RAILWAY TRIANGLE.

• IMPROVED NORTH/SOUTH PUBLIC FOOTPATH ACCESS THROUGHT THE SITE.

• OFFSITE HIGHWAY IMPROVEMENTS IN LEEKBROOK.

* APPROVAL WILL PRODUCE THE FUNDING NEEDED TO REINSTATE THE RAILWAY INTO

LEEK.

* MCR'S TECHNICAL CONSULTANTS, THE CAPITA SYMONDS GROUP, WILL WORK WITH

MCR, CVR AND THE COUNCIL TO DESIGN THE NEW RAILWAY INFRASTRUCTURE.

* DECISIONS TO FOLLOW ON INCLUDE THE AVAILABILITY OF THE TRACKBED TO LEEK (

OWNED BY THE COUNCIL.) AND THE CHOICE OF LOCATION FOR THE NEW STATION IN

LEEK.

* THE FINAL STAGE IS THE CONSTRUCTION OF THE LINE.

Office

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MANCHESTER

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www.hulmeupright.co.uk

Barclay House35 Whitworth Street WestManchesterM1 5NG

Tel: 0161 2445818Email: [email protected]

Fax:

architects cdmco-ordinators

Moorland & City Railways Ltd.

Leekbrook / Leek RailwayLeekbrook Junction

Leekbrook Station Layout

ReconnectLeek

ReconnectLeek

LEEKBROOK STATION LAYOUT

Railway Proposals Scheme &

BIRCHALL PLAYING FIELDS

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SEWAGE WORKS

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Tel: 0161 2445818

Email: [email protected]

MANCHESTER

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Leekbrook to Leek RailwayExtension

MASTERPLAN

SEPT 2013

1:2500

PROPOSED BARNFIELDSLINK ROADEXISTING MCR/CVRRAILWAY LINE

NEW MCR/CVR RAILWAYLINE

CORNHILL / BARNFIELDSREGENERATION AREA

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Tel: 0161 2445818Email: [email protected]

MANCHESTER

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Leekbrook / Leek RailwayLeekbrook Junction

Leekbrook Junction Development Plan

Aug 2013

1:500

ReconnectLeek

ReconnectLeek

PUBLIC CONSULTATION FEEDBACK SHEET

VENUE : FOXLOWE GALLERY, MARKET PLACE,

CHURCH STREET, LEEK.

DATES/TIMES : THURSDAY 14TH NOVEMBER 2013 10.00AM - 4.00 PM

FRIDAY 15TH NOVEMBER 2013 10.00AM - 4.00 PM

SATURDAY 16TH NOVEMBER 2013 10.00AM - 4.00 PM

If you have any comments about the proposals for :

Phase 1 - Residential/Station Development at Leekbrook or

Phase 2 - The Reinstatement of the Railway into Leek funded by Phase 1.

Please complete this form and place it in the box provided or post/email it to the address below :-

Moorland & City Railways Ltd, The Keele Centre, Three Mile Lane, Keele, Newcastle under Lyme, ST5 5HH.

Email : [email protected]

Name: Address: Email: Comments on Phase 1:

Comments on Phase 2:

Cllr N Podmore

12 Wardle Gardens

Leekbrook

Leek, ST13 7AR

15th November 2013

Dear Cllr Podmore

A New Railway for Leek

Moorland & City Railways (MCR) and the Churnet Valley Railway (CVR) are about to release the

latest joint project which the two companies are hoping to start shortly and, we wanted to make sure that you personally were made aware of our proposals.

Leek lost its railway in 1965 and getting it back has been one of the town's objectives ever since.

Having a network to connect it to and covering the capital cost have in the past meant no progress. Our two railways have a solution to this.

You may aware that MCR owns land within the Leekbrook railway triangle extending to about 9

acres. This land is not required for railway purposes and MCR have put together a plan to develop it

with housing, a new local station ( with small convenience store.), the renewal of the original

triangular railway infrastructure and the provision of footpath access through the site so that the

existing networks north and south of Leekbrook can be connected.

The significance of this proposal is that the revenue from the sale of the development land, following

the granting of outline planning consent, will be in part used to fund the railway back into Leek ( the

remainder will go into other elements of MCR's railway network.)

MCR/CVR will set up a separate company as the delivery vehicle for the Leek railway and fund it to

the amount required to achieve the objective. A new unquoted PLC ( similar to the CVR's current structure.) could be the way forward on this with shareholdings to MCR, CVR and the Council (

which owns the trackbed) and by subscription, the general public.

Following all this, there would still be decisions to take, most importantly, the location of a new station site in Leek and there may be lively public debate on this but the point here is that everyone

would know that the funding was in place to make the Leek railway happen.

Enclosed with this letter is the latest draft layout for our land at Leekbrook and also the Masterplan

showing the route into Leek with a new station located in the Cornhill area.

The benefits of restoring the town's rail connection are considerable and can be summarised :-

The Keele Centre

Three Mile Lane

Keele Newcastle under Lyme Staffordshire ST5 5HH

Tel: 01782 338944 e-mail : [email protected]

Company Registration No: 06820433

1) Longstanding Council policy, eg 1998 Adopted Local Plan and emerging LDF and Churnet Valley Masterplan.

2) An immediate sustainable transport link into the majority of the Churnet Valley with access to a

number of the valley's major opportunity sites, eg the Thomas Bolton site and Moneystone Quarry.

3) The availability of services from Leek eventually to Alton Towers and Stoke.

4) A kickstart to the Cornhill regeneration area and the town generally through improved transport

links.

Specifically from the CVR's point of view:-

1) The railway would, for the first time, have a recognisable end destination in an accessible

location.

2) Independent consultants, The Leisure Consultancy Ltd, have concluded in a report specifically

commissioned for this project that a Leek base for the CVR would :-

a) Lead to an increase in visitor numbers to the railway to a new level of c. 95-100,000 pa

(approximately 30,000 pa. more than the current total.)

b) Support additional employment at the railway and its supply chain of 13 FTE jobs.

c) Create additional gross tourist spend in Leek of £950,000 pa.

3) The CVR has suffered substantial, well reported, trading losses in the last two years as a result of

general economic conditions.

If not addressed, this will in the near future, threaten the financial stability of the railway. The

increased visitor numbers which running into Leek would produce will deal with this important

problem. Achieving the connection into Leek is therefore crucial for the immediate future of the

CVR.

As will be appreciated, the key to achieving any of this is the funding available through the sale of

our Leekbrook land. At a time when conventional public or private funding for a project like this is

simply not available, the only way forward is to capitalise on our existing assets. Obtaining the

necessary planning consent is therefore fundamental.

We are in full discussion with the Council's regeneration and planning officers which will lead to an

application for planning consent in the next few weeks and I trust we can count on your support during this process.

If you would like to discuss any aspect of the Leek project, please call David Kemp at MCR on

01782 338944.

Yours sincerely

David Kemp Anthony Hancock

Commercial Director MCR Chairman CVR

report on public consultation

Documents