Stockport Council's Planning & Highways Regulation Committee approved demolition of the Albert Schools Building on 22nd November, in order to build apartment blocks and retail space. This decision was despite the Marple Councillors recommendation to refuse the planning application and 23 public objections to the proposals. 

Since discovering that the demolition has been approved the local community is angry at the decision, and frustrated at what they feel has been a lack of consultation regarding the future of a major building in the town centre. We understand the planning process, but feel that the demolition of such a landmark building, and one of a few surviving large historic buildings in Marple does not serve to improve the town, and that proposals for such drastic works should have involved wider consultation with the community than the usual notices on lampposts around the building. 

Many residents have memories of the building, and whilst we understand the need for additional housing within Marple, we feel that this could be achieved with sympathetic adaptive reuse of the building, and additional new builds to the rear in the existing open space. The two existing red brick, pre-war shop units adjacent, also ear marked for demolition, could provide attractive retail space with additional housing above, in keeping with much of Market Street. 

Furthermore, the proposals do not include appropriate and much needed affordable housing, and the density of proposed housing raises concerns regarding traffic flow. 

The undersigned request that the Council reconsider the proposals to demolish this locally important building and seek a design which fulfils requirements for affordable housing and preserves the building as one of the last significant parts of Marple's historic town centre.