Manchester Liberal Democrats

Chorlton Green Farmers' Market and Craft Fair, 28 July, 11am-5pm

Let's get Chorlton Library Listed!

If you have seen the front page of this week's South Manchester Reporter (pictured below) you will know that I am leading a campaign to get Chorlton Library Listed. This week I submitted an application for Listed Building status to English Heritage. The City Council are planning to vacate the current building and build a new joint Library and Leisure Centre. As part of this plan the Council will give the current Library building away to property developers to help cover the costs. Whilst there is not currently any specific threat to the building its future is uncertain once it has been given away. Therefore it is important that our Library building is protected for future generations. 

The Library is without doubt my favourite building in Chorlton and I have really enjoyed researching its history. The Library was funded from a £5000 donation from Dr Andrew Carnegie, the Scottish-American steel magnate and philanthropist. It was opened just three months after the start of the First World War on 4 November 1914 by the Lord Mayor of Manchester, Alderman McCabe. It was the first time a sitting Lord Mayor of Manchester had officially visited Chorlton. The Building was designed by the first City Architect of Manchester, Henry Price, who also designed the Grade II listed Didsbury Library and many other Manchester landmarks like Victoria Baths. There is a fascinating story that the original plans for the building sent to Dr Carnegie were lost in the North Atlantic on-board The Titanic.


I have my fingers crossed that English Heritage will see the historical and architectural merits of the building and protect it well into the future. Please let me know if you have any additional information or documents that may support the bid.

Lib Dem minister talks jobs in Manchester visit

On Friday, Transport minister Norman Baker was at Manchester Piccadilly following the announcement of £322 million extra funding towards the Northern Hub rail project for Manchester which could create 30,000 jobs and a £4.2bn boost for the regional economy. Also announced was £1 million given to Manchester Victoria under the Coalition government’s ‘Access for All’ scheme which aims to improve access to public transport. The money will go towards a new lift to the footbridge, ensuring level access across the station, new handrails and landings on the existing footbridge.

In previous blogs I’ve written about other investments in the area announced by Norman Baker, it’s clear that Liberal Democrats are in government fighting for Manchester and fighting for jobs.

Norman also joined the Liberal Democrat candidate for Manchester Central, Marc Ramsbottom, to discuss what the new Northern Hub investment means for Manchester.

Weekly list of Chorlton planning applications we 13 Jul 12

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.


099719/FU/2012/S1 562 Wilbraham Road Chorlton Manchester M21 9LB (The Hellenic Centre, pictured)
Change of use from community centre with self-contained apartment above (Class D1) to a single dwelling house (Class C3)

099905/FH/2012/S1 3 Marmion Drive Chorlton Manchester M21 9JD
Erection of two storey side and single storey rear extension to form additional living accommodation following demolition of existing outrigger

099920/FH/2012/S1 6 Sibson Road Chorlton Manchester M21 9RH
Erection of new front porch following demolition of existing porch

099879/FH/2012/S1 148 Brantingham Road Chorlton Cum Hardy Manchester M21 0TS
Erection of single storey side and rear extension to provide additional living accommodation

How Green are Manchester Labour?

Marc Ramsbottom selected as Liberal Democrat Prospective Parliamentary candidate for Manchester Central

Manchester Liberal Democrats are pleased to announce that Marc Ramsbottom has been chosen as the prospective parliamentary candidate for the upcoming Parliamentary by-election for Manchester Central constituency.

Marc is very well qualified to be Manchester’s next MP he is a local resident and former councillor for Manchester city centre for 12 years. He has stood in the constituency in the last two elections, halving Tony Lloyd’s percentage majority.

Marc says “I’m delighted to have been chosen to fight for the constituency for the third time.   I want to use this election as an opportunity to air all the good things that the Lib Dems in government are doing, some things that normally get ignored.  We’ve received the biggest ever funding settlement for our Schools, tax cuts for lowest and middle earners, the Pupil Premium and the Northern Hub are just some examples.  In Manchester Central the only party who can beat Labour are the Liberal Democrats, the Tories haven’t elected a Councillor in Manchester in over 20 years and have never represented Manchester Central.”

Leader of Manchester Lib Dems, Cllr Simon Wheale said, “Marc was a fantastic Councillor and is very well regarded amongst residents and businesses in the City Centre.  He is the best person to take on Labour in what will be a two-horse race in Central.  We’ve got a lot to shout about in Manchester and just this week the Northern Hub was announced which could create 30,000 jobs and a £4.2bn boost for the regional economy.”

Following the announcement of the £322 million extra funding towards the Northern Hub rail project for Manchester, Lib Dem Transport Minister Norman Baker will be visiting the constituency on Friday to officially launch Marc’s campaign.