***UPDATE***

Firstly, a HUGE THANK YOU to everyone who has signed my petition to bolster support for what would be an incredible and much needed residential development for Flixton.

I attended the Trafford planning committee meeting last night, where I spoke up for everyone in support of this scheme. I was only allowed the standard 3 minutes, but I gave it everything I had.

Unfortunately Branley Homes' plans were rejected YET AGAIN!

Ironically it was Flixton's own Councillor and Chairman of the planning committee, Vivienne Ward who spoke out adamantly AGAINST the development and the progress it would bring to the area and its people.

Surely councillors are elected to support and take on board the wishes of the people? Unfortunately Vivienne opted to speak over me, mumble whilst I tried to passionately put forward our case and completely dismissed everything I had to say.

Flixton's other 2 councillors, Mr Jonathan Coupe and Mr Paul Lally were very much IN FAVOUR of the development and I'd like to thank them for their support.

Jonathan spoke out FOR the development to go ahead, but unfortunately neither Jonathan or Paul are on the planning committee, and although being so much in favour, could not vote.

Both have, however, signed this petition.

Councillor Ward was the only Flixton councillor with a vote and she voted 'no'.

It appeared to me that our petition has upset Councillor Ward as it highlights just how out of touch she is with her Flixton constituents. I would like to continue to show her just how out of touch she is, by continuing to rally support for this petition from Trafford residents.

Branley Homes intend to appeal this decision once again and it's now more important than ever that we, the residents of Trafford stand together to make this happen.

We must demand progress on new housing in Flixton - an area which is desperately crying out for new homes for young families and first-time buyers.

I would like to ask you to pass this petition on to another 4 people if possible.

If each of us does that, we will very quickly have over 1000 names in support and Councillor Ward cannot continue to ignore our voices.

Please spread this petition far and wide. Together we CAN make a difference.

If you would like to air your thoughts directly to the councillors mentioned, you can do so via the following email addresses:

Vivienne Ward - who stands AGAINST this development - viv.ward@trafford.gov.uk

Jonathan Coup - who stands FOR this development - jonathan.coupe@trafford.gov.uk

Paul Lally - who stands FOR this development - Paul.Lally@trafford.gov.uk

Thanks so much for your support thus far!

Ross :)

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ORIGINAL PETITION:

Dear Trafford resident,

You may or may not be aware, but for a number of years, Branley Homes - a reputable, local building company has been seeking planning permission to build a small development of residential apartments, complete with a purpose-built woodland area on the derelict land adjacent to Flixton station, on the south side of the railway line.

Time and time again planning permission has been refused by Trafford Borough Council on the grounds that this derelict eyesore is a green/brown belt site.

The land used to home The Station pub, until it burned down in 1997 - since then, this land has been left to ruin.

You can see from the above photo, that this land does not take on the appearance of what you would imagine when the word Green/brown belt is used. It is isolated, fenced off, has been victim to fly-tipping on occasion and is covered in graffiti - no one can possibly enjoy it.

Once again, Trafford are recommending another refusal on planning permission at the Planning Development Control Committee meeting on Thursday 14th April and as a resident of Flixton I am not prepared to stand back and see this happen again.

• In my opinion, this development would only enhance the area for the following reasons: Regardless of any green/brown belt status, in its current state, this land can only be described as a derelict wasteland and blight on the landscape. It is overgrown, untended, and the walls within are covered in graffiti. It has been in this state for almost TWO DECADES and gives a poor impression of Flixton to anyone arriving into or passing through on the train.
  
  
• The new development would transform this land into an attractive, landscaped residential development which includes a purpose-built woodland area. This woodland area is to be gifted to the children of St Michael’s Primary School for nature study. Extensive hard and soft landscaping consisting of trees and shrubs will be employed for the whole development.
  
  
• Access to the development via Flixton Road will be enhanced and made safer for everybody. These works include widening the kerb by ‘build outs’ in order to improve the visibility for cars exiting the site. Branley Homes have also agreed to improve the appearance of the entrance to the site and include a drop-off zone for rail passengers.
  
  
• The local shops and businesses in Flixton Village would benefit hugely from the custom of residents within the development.
  
  
• The overall safety of the area and particularly the pathway running adjacent to the development would be vastly improved, no longer being so isolated. Children use this footpath to access St Michael's Primary School, so safety is very important.
  
  
• After speaking with the building company, I have been told that the proposed apartments will not be sold to investors, but rather to younger, first time buyers, looking to step up on the property ladder.
  
  
• There are so few new developments in the Flixton/ Urmston area - the 24 proposed apartments would contribute greatly to solving this shortage of housing.
  
  You may not know this, but Trafford Council does NOT, at present, have a five year supply of immediately available housing land.
  
  The absence of a continuing supply of housing land has significant consequences in terms of the Council's ability to contribute towards the government's aim of boosting significantly the supply of housing.
  
  
• Many jobs would be created throughout the construction phase of the development. Trafford Borough Council would benefit from the receipt of a further 24 council tax payments.

Overall, I believe that this development would have nothing but a positive impact on Flixton. It would breathe new life into an area of land that has been left to rot for almost TWO DECADES, offer new housing in an area with so little housing available to first-time buyers, as well as gifting a piece of nature to future generations.

I hope you agree with the above points and will sign this petition. Thanks so much for your time.

Ross Grant

If you would like to read a detailed report on Branley Homes' development plans for the Flixton station site, click the link below.

http://planningdocs.trafford.gov.uk/pamsearch/planning_application_search_pam.jsp?APPLICATION_NUMBER=%3Cxsl:value-of%20select=87271/FUL/15