Save Trafford College Outside Sports Facilities

Save Trafford College Outside Sports Facilities

campaign.

The college have had all lights switched on 24/7 for 18 months. This is wrong. Very wrong. Why? Trafford College

Please see below. I've not had chance to excessively look over, however what strikes is the push for Stockport sports as opposed our local sports. There were some very good conversations, the meeting was long overdue.

Trafford College – Sports Pitch Meeting 18th July 2023, The Sports Barn, Trafford College
Authorship #

The key people present were the College Principle, College Group CEO, Planning Officer from Trafford.
Co-hosted by Cllr Duncan. (4 other Cllrs in audience of ~ 60 local residents).

The meeting was called because of the number of residents contacting Cllr Duncan / Cllr Chakaborty with concerns about the future of the outside sports facility at the College and a possible housing development.

The College Principle opened the meeting with an overview of the situation:

Some 5 years ago the College put in an outline planning permission for 40 houses, but later withdrew it when a similar scheme nearby was rejected by Trafford Council – with the rider that if re-submitted would be unlikely to succeed. No further applications have since been made. Currently there are no plans to make further submissions.

The merging with Stockport College and taking on a £30M debt was incorrect because of changes in the structure of college financing was changed and Central Government covered the debt.

Any sale of an asset would result in any gain being re-invested in the specific college itself – ie, if realised by Trafford it would have to be used to upgrade Trafford, not support Stockport (or other) college.

There are now 4 colleges in ‘Trafford’s’ Group. Trafford College, Stockport College and Cheadle and are running in profit however will always need further funding.

The Sports Pitch and associated car park have been ‘mothballed’ as not meeting standards, too costly to upgrade.

This led to a debate as to possible funding sources / grants etc, the problem being the need for ‘match funding’ which isn’t available?

It was also mentioned that Trafford Council had imposed various constraints about times when the pitch / car park could be used which further limited usage.

The lack of facilities across Trafford for sports clubs to play was also raised, but the condition of the pitch and Trafford’s constraints were referred to.

Stamford Brook Residents raised the issue of potential flooding if any building occurred – and that Stamford Brook’s residents all contributed to the SUDS scheme, so anything new would require a SUDS – and need funding.

The ‘wildlife corridor’, pollution, extra traffic etc were also mentioned.

Whilst the original proposal included ‘affordable housing’, with this particular area it is unlikely that this would be viable.

One resident of Broadheath and a football coach mentioned the current facilities at the college are in better condition than other local alternatives.

One resident confirmed there’s now better low level floodlight available.

One resident mentioned could the college please look for grants, work with Sport England and rent out for long term investment. This wasn’t within the college business plan.

The college maintained there is low level use for sports at Trafford and maintain Stockport College has the facilities.

One resident mentioned we should look at our own college and upgrade for local students as opposed to keep focusing on Stockport.

Cllr Duncan also said that about 800 local residents had signed a petition he raised to block any housing development – which showed the strength of feeling.

Cllr Duncan also said this land should remain, be upgraded and be used for long term excellence and investment and not short term financial gain that would be split across the group and not just Trafford College.

The meeting concluded with the statement that there are no current plans to submit a new planning application however were non committal in 3 months, 6 months etc.

*** TRAFFORD COLLEGE ***

I've had the minutes forward to me. Please see below. I've not had chance to excessively look over, however what strikes is the push for Stockport sports as opposed our local sports. There were some very good conversations, the meeting was long overdue.

Trafford College – Sports Pitch Meeting 18th July 2023, The Sports Barn, Trafford College
Authorship #

The key people present were the College Principle, College Group CEO, Planning Officer from Trafford.
Co-hosted by Cllr Duncan. (4 other Cllrs in audience of ~ 60 local residents).

The meeting was called because of the number of residents contacting Cllr Duncan / Cllr Chakaborty with concerns about the future of the outside sports facility at the College and a possible housing development.

The College Principle opened the meeting with an overview of the situation:

Some 5 years ago the College put in an outline planning permission for 40 houses, but later withdrew it when a similar scheme nearby was rejected by Trafford Council – with the rider that if re-submitted would be unlikely to succeed. No further applications have since been made. Currently there are no plans to make further submissions.

The merging with Stockport College and taking on a £30M debt was incorrect because of changes in the structure of college financing was changed and Central Government covered the debt.

Any sale of an asset would result in any gain being re-invested in the specific college itself – ie, if realised by Trafford it would have to be used to upgrade Trafford, not support Stockport (or other) college.

There are now 4 colleges in ‘Trafford’s’ Group. Trafford College, Stockport College and Cheadle and are running in profit however will always need further funding.

The Sports Pitch and associated car park have been ‘mothballed’ as not meeting standards, too costly to upgrade.

This led to a debate as to possible funding sources / grants etc, the problem being the need for ‘match funding’ which isn’t available?

It was also mentioned that Trafford Council had imposed various constraints about times when the pitch / car park could be used which further limited usage.

The lack of facilities across Trafford for sports clubs to play was also raised, but the condition of the pitch and Trafford’s constraints were referred to.

Stamford Brook Residents raised the issue of potential flooding if any building occurred – and that Stamford Brook’s residents all contributed to the SUDS scheme, so anything new would require a SUDS – and need funding.

The ‘wildlife corridor’, pollution, extra traffic etc were also mentioned.

Whilst the original proposal included ‘affordable housing’, with this particular area it is unlikely that this would be viable.

One resident of Broadheath and a football coach mentioned the current facilities at the college are in better condition than other local alternatives.

One resident confirmed there’s now better low level floodlight available.

One resident mentioned could the college please look for grants, work with Sport England and rent out for long term investment. This wasn’t within the college business plan.

The college maintained there is low level use for sports at Trafford and maintain Stockport College has the facilities.

One resident mentioned we should look at our own college and upgrade for local students as opposed to keep focusing on Stockport.

Cllr Duncan also said that about 800 local residents had signed a petition he raised to block any housing development – which showed the strength of feeling.

Cllr Duncan also said this land should remain, be upgraded and be used for long term excellence and investment and not short term financial gain that would be split across the group and not just Trafford College.

The meeting concluded with the statement that there are no current plans to submit a new planning application however were non committal in 3 months, 6 months etc.

Thanks
Rob

https://chng.it/7WCYVQwrpy

PUBLIC MEETING AT TRAFFORD COLLEGE. TUESDAY 18TH JULY 7PM Please arrive and have your say: Trafford College Sports Barn. We need outside space. This land should remain for local sports for local students. They should not be forced onto public transport going to alternative locations. Residents are opposed to further houses around Stamford Brook. Please arr...

Local MP with local Cllr Campaign to stop the build of 40 houses going on Save Trafford College Outside Sports Facilities

Friendly reminder of Trafford College Residents Open Evening Cllr Rob Duncan and Cllr Kaushik Chakraborty have arranged.

Please come and show your support. ANY questions please DM me. I hope to see everyone giving their support :) 🙏

********

Public meeting at Trafford College on Tuesday 18th July 7pm. Have your voice!!!!

Trafford College wants to build 40 houses on its outside sports pitch. PLEASE sign the attached to help stop this. You should also consider attending the above mentioned meeting with local representatives and the college Principal. I will be chair so please forward agenda items to me in advance for discussion.

This compromises sports education at the college and the facilities could be a valuable resource for locals - if marketed effectively!

This is your area. Congestion is a huge problem and whist affordable housing is a priority, properties on Stamford Brook are selling for an average of 595k!

Please help.Please sign. Every name makes a difference. As always they ask for a donation ignore it!

Sign the Petition Save Trafford College Outside Sports Facilities.

Public meeting at Trafford College on Tuesday 18th July 7pm. Have your voice!!!! Arranged with Cllr Dr Kaushik Chakraborty and Cllr Rob Duncan

Trafford College wants to build 40 houses on its outside sports pitch. PLEASE sign the attached to help stop this. You should also consider attending the above mentioned meeting with local representatives and the college Principal. I will be chair so please forward agenda items to me in advance for discussion.

This compromises sports education at the college and the facilities could be a valuable resource for locals - if marketed effectively!

This is your area. Congestion is a huge problem and whist affordable housing is a priority, properties on Stamford Brook are selling for an average of 595k!

Please help.Please sign. Every name makes a difference. As always they ask for a donation ignore it!

We have received the below regarding remaining The Trafford College Group to Trafford & Stockport College Group.

1. I don't know any local students of Trafford area attending Stockport College and vice-versa.

2. The 'Group' also consists of Cheadle College amongst others.

It's worth noting however the incurred debt Trafford College took on when the merger took place some four years ago. Oh, that leads me on to them wanting to sell off land and build 40 houses!

The group is now running in profit so Trafford College should re open the gates for it's outside Sports pitch!

Of which it now needs maintenance (close anything for long enough it will need upgrading).

NOTING: It will still cost less to upgrade than to build a brand new pitch at an alternative site.

FURTHER NOTE: Two planning applications have been rejected!

***

I am writing to inform you of a proposal to amend the group name of the college from its existing title of, 'The Trafford College Group' to a new title of, 'Trafford & Stockport College Group'.

The proposal is in response to an extensive piece of research which identified that the current group name does not fully represent the communities we serve across the two boroughs of Trafford and Stockport.

We feel that the proposed new name will better represent those we serve as well as address feedback from stakeholders within Stockport who have told us that the existing group name causes confusion when dealing and operating with the college.

The proposal will not impact on students’ day-to-day routines and the college will retain its local campus identities of Cheadle College, Marple Sixth Form College, Stockport College, and Trafford College (Altrincham and Stretford).

As part of the process to change the group name we would like your feedback which you can provide via this short survey: https://forms.office.com/e/uRDK3kQqaS

The survey is anonymous and will take only a few minutes to complete. Please could I encourage your participation and to submit your feedback no later than 6th July 2023.

Principal and Chief Executive

The Trafford College Group

Fill | The Trafford College Group - proposed name change This is a form to ask for your feedback on a proposal to change the Group name of the college.  The proposal comes from the conclusions of a “brand and recognition” survey which indicated a challenge with the current name.   Primarily, the challenge is that "The Trafford Coll...

Make no mistake - if 40 houses get built this wildlife border corridor will go!