Local MP encourages Gatley residents to have their say about Tatton Cinema

11.58.08am BST (GMT +0100) Wed 9th Jul 2008

Lib Dem Campaigners Graham Gowland and Iain Roberts with Cllr Pam King outside the former Tatton Cinema

Cheadle MP Mark Hunter is encouraging local residents to have their say about new controversial planning proposals submitted to Stockport Town Hall for the Tatton Cinema.

The proposal (ref number DCO39489) submitted by The Dickens Property Group is for a mixed use development, of 32 retirement homes and a retail development (convenience store), to include 19 car parking spaces of which 3 will be reserved for use by disabled people. It does not however, include plans to retain the frontage of the old cinema which has become something of a local landmark.

Mr Hunter is encouraging local residents to look at the plans either online at www.stockport.gov.uk or at Bossco Ltd next door to the site on Gatley Road, to make up their own mind about the contentious new proposals and make their views known to the Planning Department by writing to: Mr Steve Lamb, Head of Development & Control, Planning Department, Hygarth House, 103 Wellington Road South, Stockport, SK1 3TP, before the closing date of 29th July 2008. Mr Hunter is also encouraging residents to copy him into any letters so that he can better represent the views of the whole community on this issue.

Speaking on the application Mr Hunter said: "I'm disappointed that the frontage of the old cinema isn't being retained in these plans, and do have concerns about the parking situation and the effect of the proposed convenience store on other local shops.

"However, I'm also anxious that if this particular development is rejected by the Council, the developer - in the current economic climate - might choose to walk away. This has happened in the past and I'm not sure that the community wants this site to remain derelict for longer than necessary.

"This really is something for the community to decide - do they want this less than perfect plan to go ahead, or would they rather leave the site derelict while waiting for something better to come along. It's really a choice of the lesser of two evils. That's why I'm encouraging anyone with an opinion on this issue to write to the Planning Office and myself, before the deadline of the 29th July. This is an important issue for the whole community and I am keen to ensure as many residents as possible have their say."