Saturday 24 May 2014

Thank you!


I am no longer a Councillor for Chorlton as my term has ended and I chose not to re-stand. I want to take this opportunity to thank the thousands of residents who have supported me over the last four years. It has been an absolute privilege to represent Chorlton; the area where I live, grew up in and love.

Please feel free to still contact me if I can be of any help. My email address is victor.libdem@ymail.com
You can also contact John Leech, Chorlton's Lib Dem MP, at leechj@parliament.uk or on (0161) 434 3334.

Monday 19 May 2014

John Leech MP to champion Sustrans' campaign for safer streets in Manchester.

South Manchester Liberal Democrat MP John Leech has become a champion for Sustrans’ Campaign for Safer Streets, supporting the right of every child to have a safe walk, bike or scoot to school.

John Leech MP said today:

“In Manchester, Lib Dems proposed the 20’s Plenty speed limit in residential areas, and I am supporting this Sustrans’ campaign because every child has the right to a safe walk, bike or scoot to school,”

John, who last year submitted a road safety bill in the House of Commons, added,

“Walking, cycling or scooting to school is a great way to include physical activity in a child’s daily routine, while building healthy habits for a lifetime. If we can create an environment where children can have an active and safe journey to school, we’ll not only prevent needless and tragic road incidents, but also improve public health, reduce air pollution and reduce road congestion.”

Sustrans is campaigning for a safer school run to tackle the inactivity crisis and predictions that in the UK as many as 70% of girls and 55% of boys could be overweight or obese by 2050.

Yet with nearly half of children failing to achieve the recommended levels of physical activity each day, the number of families choosing to make the school run by car is on the rise. Little wonder when in 2012, 33 children were killed and over 1800 seriously injured while walking and cycling.

Sustrans’ Campaign for Safer Streets is calling for:

·         Dedicated funding to transform routes and invest in walking and cycling at the local level
·         20mph default speed limit across built up areas – makes everyone’s route safer
·         Stronger duties and incentives on Local Authorities to develop routes and promote walking and cycling 

 Details of John’s Road Safety Bill can be found at http://johnleechmp.wordpress.com/2012/02/21/road-safety-bill/

Join Sustrans’ Campaign for Safer Streets at www.sustrans.org.uk/safetoschool

Sustrans is the charity that’s enabling people to travel by foot, bike or public transport for more of the journeys we make every day. It’s time we all began making smarter travel choices. Make your move and support Sustrans today.www.sustrans.org.uk

Chorlton's Village Tandoori Makes Regional Final of Tiffin Cup 2014

Following a nomination from local MP John Leech, the Village Tandoori in Chorlton has made the regional finals of the prestigious Tiffin Cup.

The Tiffin Cup is awarded every year by the Tiffin Club of MP’s. Formed in 2006 and chaired by Keith Vaz MP, the aim is not only to celebrate and applaud the quality of South Asian food in the Britain, but also to raise much needed money for charity. This year’s charity is “World Vision”


John Leech MP said today,

“The curry industry is incredibly important to Manchester and the UK. It is worth £3.6bn and employs 80,000.  I am happy that the Village Tandoori has made the regional finals, wish them the best of luck and will be there to support them in the House of Commons if they make the grand final on the 8th July.

Tiffin Club Chair Keith Vaz MP added,

“After the overwhelming success of last year’s competition we are looking forward to another chance to sample some of the best offerings of Indian food in Britain. I wish the Village Tandoori the best of luck in the competition."

Friday 9 May 2014

New Patron puts Chorlton’s professional Theatre on the map

The Edge Theatre & Arts Centre in Chorlton has persuaded Manchester’s hottest property to become a Patron. JULIE HESMONDHALGH, well respected and nationally-loved actress has agreed to be one of the faces of the small theatre.

Julie is well-known for her moving and sensitive role of Hayley Cropper in CORONATION STREET, which we saw her leave in February this year. She has since taken on roles at Manchester’s iconic Royal Exchange Theatre and has just returned to Manchester following a run of BLACK ROSES: THE KILLING OF SOPHIE LANCASTER at London’s South Bank Centre.
Julie is also known for her charity work, which includes fronting an awareness campaign for pancreatic cancer (following her storyline in CORONATION STREET) and for the Sophie Lancaster Foundation. She is running the Manchester 10k in May for a small local charity.

The Edge opened in May 2011 and is now recognised by audiences and critics as a theatrical force on the Manchester touring circuit for small-scale quality work from around the country. Thanks to support from the Family Arts Network and Big Imaginations Children’s Festival, the theatre often sells out the work it hosts for young people.

The Edge also produces and presents its own theatre, often brand new musical work written and directed by The Edge Artistic Director, Janine Waters, with music by The Edge Musical Director, Simon Waters. The most recent piece, DREAMING UNDER A DIFFERENT MOON, premiered in December 2012. Notably, The Edge also produced SPINACH, which played in The Studio, Royal Exchange and Kings Head Theatre, Islington in 2012.

Other activities at The Edge include a series of courses for unemployed people and those on low incomes, courses, classes and workshops for adults and families: Theatre Club and Edge Youth Theatre meet regularly; Acting Courses, Tap Dancing, Ukulele Club and, new for this season, Movie Moves (a dance course where you will learn to dance like they do on the big screen) are also part of The Edge repertoire.

Julie Hesmondalgh says: “I can’t wait to become a patron of this little theatre with big aspirations. I am looking forward to meeting the people who enjoy the facilities and to helping to make others aware of this little gem in the heart of Manchester’s buzzing arts community that is Chorlton.”

The Edge Artistic Director, Janine Waters says: ‘We’re thrilled to welcome Julie Hesmondhalgh into The Edge family. Her profile and her commitment to theatre and communities will enhance our reputation and will help us in our ambition to put The Edge on the map.”

Recent Chorlton Planning Applications

Below are recently submitted Planning Applications in the Chorlton area. You can find out more information about any of the proposals on the City Council's Planning Portal at http://tinyurl.com/yv6lex or by contacting the South Area Planning Group Manager - Roger Hall; Tel: (0161) 234 4536; email: r.hall@manchester.gov.uk . You can also make a Planning representation (in support or opposition) to Mr Hall or the designated planning officer for each application. Please feel free to contact me on (07947383740; cllr.v.chamberlain@manchester.gov.uk) if you wish to discuss any application and please also send me a copy of any representation you make.


105130/FO/2014/S1 Jasmine Restaurant 569 Barlow Moor Road Chorlton Manchester M21 8AEErection single-storey rear extension and re-roofing of existing single-storey rear extension

105132/FO/2014/S1 Jasmine Restaurant 569 Barlow Moor Road Chorlton Manchester M21 8AEInstallation of glazed canopy to front of restaurant

105365/FH/2014/S1 Mr J Shale 41 Reynard Road Chorlton Manchester M21 8DBErection of single-storey side extension and rear dormer

105444/JO/2014/S1 2 Vincent Avenue Chorlton Manchester M21 9GRVariation of Condition no.3 attached to planning permission ref: 104147/FO/2013/S1 to allow alterations to the design of the rear extension

105454/FH/2014/S1 12 Abbotsford Road Chorlton Manchester M21 0RJErection of single-storey side and rear extension and installation of dormer to rear together with alteration of roof to form gable from hipped roof following demolition of existing garage


105383/TPO/2014/S1 Park View Court Alderfield Road Chorlton Manchester M21 9JXWorks to trees- crown lift of 5m from ground level to trees marked T1 to T15 on submitted plan

105404/FH/2014/S1 4 Finney Drive Chorlton Manchester M21 9DS
Erection of a part single/part two storey front extension and a two storey rear extension to form additional living accommodation.


105362/PDE/2014/S1 7 Buckfast Close Chorlton Manchester M21 0RY
Erection of single-storey rear extension measuring 3.8 metres to the rear with a maximum height to ridge of 3.7 metres and height at eaves of 2.5 metres following demolition of existing conservatory


105181/FH/2014/S1 3 Hewlett Road Chorlton Manchester M21 9WB
Erection of single-storey rear extension following demolition of existing detached garage

105232/FH/2014/S1 6 Bryan Road Chorlton Manchester M21 0RH
Erection of a two storey side extension and part single/part 2 storey rear extension to form additional living accommodation


105257/PDE/2014/S1 16 Neale Road Chorlton Manchester M21 9DQ
Erection of single-storey rear extension measuring 6 metres to the rear, with a maximum height to eaves of 3 metres and a maximum height to ridge of 4 metres