The Old Trafford stadium is 100 years old today. Still think they could do a lot more for their neighbourhood. Gordon Brown has had a good day in the polls; or at least the lead is shrinking; unlike Chelseas’s.

This story highlights just how out of touch Tories are. Gating schemes don’t just deter burglaries and anti social behaviour, they can create communal spaces that give pride to neighbourhoods.

See earlier story

It’s proved to be one of the most controversial proposals in recent years. I’m deeply disappointed that we were never allowed by the ruling Conservatives to properly scrutinise the proposal, to look at alternatives, or to test the amounts required to restore Ashes cricket. The suppression of debate in council or executive has been scandalous.

However, we are where we are and the application has reached planning stage and the options for further examination are diminishing. Given that we’ve not been able to satisfy the most unsceptical eye that this is has been properly tested by Trafford, we’re left with lodging objections to the proposal. I’d much rather we’d been allowed to properly scrutinise and look at ways to support test cricket that didn’t impact on the scope for developing the Academy, that didn’t run the risk of creating gridlock, but the scope for realising a really exciting development has been wasted.

For the record I’ve included my objection to the proposal:

I believe that the proposal will generate levels of traffic that are unsustainable without prejudicing the free movement of traffic along Chester Road.

Introducing a right turn into Tescos for customers coming from Stretford will cause gridlock. Traffic is often already reduced to single file as buses stop traffic on the inside lane.

Additionally, the transport assessment takes no account of plans to ramp up permitted custom at White City together with an application to build a supermarket there.

There is a lack of analysis in the submissions as to whether Chester Road can cope with a second large superstore in this proximity. Since there is already
permission for food retail at White City, clearly the planning authority should take cognisance of that development.

Although the playing field upon which the Tesco is to be built has not been utilised for the past few years, it is not clear that the proposed much larger (and yet to be formalised) academy will not require its use. There seems to be an implied assumption that the grounds of the academy can be supplemented by
taking from the park with associated loss of amenity. In any event, the store takes much needed green space, in comparison with the White City proposal which is brownfield under any definition.

The argument for permitting the Tesco is in respect of the planning gain afforded by the regeneration of LCCC. It’s clear that LCCC needs regenerating but it’s not clear that their business case stacks up. Everything is predicated on the winning of Ashes cricket back to Old Trafford. There is no guarantee that
the bid will be successful, there’s no guarantee that even if it is, that the derived income will be sufficient to finance the borrowing. I would want
to see much more independent scrutiny of the business plan before proceeding.

There is loss of public funds associated with this proposal and it requires that residents ignore the degree of trust that is being placed upon the success
of the cricket ground’s future management. It is not clear that the local authority has tested whether the cricket club needs the £21m. With better management, could the call on public funds be reduced and hence the case for the Tesco part of the development be completely nullified?

Mike Cordingley

The conservatives have come up with their answer to the My David Cameron site based on that strange Cameron photo. I’m therefore not sure I’m supposed to appreciate the Conservative equivalents; but apart from one or two they’re not bad. The Winterton picture is the winner

See them all

Manchester Evening News Article. It’s good coverage on this controversial school closure. The Tory led council has got itself into a complete muddle over this issue and the anger of parents is completely justified. The sensible approach is to put the brakes on all decisions and start consulting properly.

Support the campaign. It benefits the global economy, it benefits the poor and preserves normal transactions; a Tobin tax for the 21st century. Read more here robinhoodtax.org.uk.

It sounds complicated, but actually it isn’t. A tiny tax on bankers has the power to raise hundreds of billions every year – giving a vital boost to the NHS, our schools, and the fight against child poverty – as well as tackling poverty and climate change around the world.

I was listening to Radio 4’s ‘Start the Week this morning. Stewart Brand, an American environmentalist from the 60s, was promoting his book in which he turns heretic in supporting the urban over crowded shanty existence against the rural idyll of village life, and goes on to support nuclear power, and gm crops in Africa. It was good to hear views refreshingly well argued as opposed to the tired refrain from some of the more unworldly Green (public school educated) propagandists and their ilk.  Here’s a link to a 15 minute lecture from him. It’s well worth watching if only for the spectacular shots of the train going through the Bangkok Shanty. Mike Cordingley

When David Cameron went to Hammersmith & Fulham recently he told locals that “when I look at the record of what the Conservatives have done here in Hammersmith and Fulham, far from being embarrassed as the Conservative Leader, I’m proud of what they’re doing”.

Last Thursday the Local Government Ombudsman condemned Hammersmith and Fulham Council and determined it must pay compensation to a pregnant woman fleeing domestic violence, after Cameron’s ‘flagship’ local authority refused to provide her with support and temporary accommodation. The terrified woman was later found seeking shelter in a park.

This shocking tale would be of no interest to Stretford residents except that it highlights the true Tory future should we re-elect the nasty party. It serves as a reminder of the squalor and destitution that faced many in Thatcher’s Britain. For goodness sake we mustn’t let them back.

Mike Cordingley

Child poverty figures

One-club solutions are not the answer to child poverty

26 January 2010
The latest figures from Save the Children showing an increase in the number of the very poorest children will cause ministers concern. The charity itself acknowledges that budget measures since 2008 should have begun to turn the position round. But some children are especially at risk. Children who experience long-term ill health or disability, or who have a parent who is sick or disabled, children in larger families, children in lone parent families, children from Pakistani and Bangladeshi backgrounds, children whose parents don’t work – all face a disproportionately high risk of poverty.

Read More from Progress Magazine

Also read Compass article ‘It’s inequality stupid’

It’s that time of year again. Help us by telling us the roads and pavements that need attention in the Gorse Hill Ward.

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