Keep up to date with the latest news from around Denton & Reddish

This week in Denton & Reddish
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** Dear Constituent,
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A warm welcome to Denton and Reddish weekly news.

This week saw the start of the Paralympic Games, and we've seen some incredible action from Tokyo with Team GB already securing a whopping 28 medals. A massive well done to our incredible Paralympians, and I can't wait to see what more you have in store over the next week and a half.
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Headlines


** Gwynne and Councillors respond to Bredbury Park Estate expansion appeal

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Andrew Gwynne, MP for Denton and Reddish, has today released a statement alongside Denton South Councillors following the news that commercial property giant Quorum have submitted an appeal to the Planning Inspectorate regarding its proposed Bredbury Park expansion.

Quorum’s plan for expansion was rejected back in March of this year by Stockport council. Quorum’s intention was to expand its Bredbury Industrial Estate deep into the Tame Valley. They have now appealed directly to the Planning Inspectorate, and will have their appeal heard over the coming weeks.

Residents wishing to comment on the appeal can do so by visiting [link removed] ([link removed]) , creating an account and entering the reference number 3279967.

Representations can also be made via post to the following address:

The Planning Inspectorate
Temple Quay House
2 The Square
Bristol BS1 6PN
Residents contacting the Planning Inspectorate by post should quote the full reference code (APP/C4235/W/21/3279967) and include their postcode and address.
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Speaking after hearing the news that Quorum had submitted its appeal Andrew Gwynne said:

“The news of this appeal is not surprising. It is within the rights of Quorum to appeal the decision made by Stockport Council, but the concerns of residents across Bredbury, Woodley, Haughton Green and Denton have not disappeared.

An expansion to the Bredbury Parkway Industrial Estate would be extremely detrimental to the local environment, and to the communities of Haughton Green and Denton. Our concerns at the time of the initial planning application were detailed and clear. We were and remain concerned that the proposed expansion would:
1. Irreparably damage the River Tame and increase the risk of flooding and increased water runoff.
2. Damage the quality of the air residents breathe.
3. Increase traffic in Denton, and force HGV’s to access the M60 via Denton.
4. Damage biodiversity and arboriculture, with the negative residual effects on badger and nesting bird populations being of particular concern.
5. Rob local residents in Denton, Haughton Green, Bredbury, Brinnington and Woodley of vital green open space.
6. Increase noise pollution.
7. Contradict planning policies specifically relevant to Greater Manchester.

It is abundantly clear that just one of these concerns would warrant a rejection of the Bredbury Expansion, but all seven expose this appeal as totally absurd. I would strongly urge residents to contact the planning inspectorate with their concerns.

We will not give up the fight for our Tame Valley. I have said many times that it is not up for grabs, and I mean it wholeheartedly. The ‘exceptional circumstances’ required for Quorum to be granted permission for the expansion have not and will not be met. This proposed expansion has united politicians of all stripes, and we will continue to fight tooth and nail against it.

My message to Quorum is simple: we will not stand aside and let you destroy our valley.”

Gwynne’s statement was followed by a statement on behalf of all Denton South Councillors (Claire Reid, Jack Naylor and George Newton):

“Time and time again residents, campaigners and politicians from across the political spectrum have proven this proposed expansion to be ill-thought out and potentially devastating to our community.

The Tame Valley is precious to residents in Denton and should be protected at all costs. The proposed expansion would harm our local environment, our quality of life and our biodiversity.

We urge residents across Denton to get in touch with the planning inspectorate and make it clear to them that this appeal must be rejected. This is really easy to do and will make a big difference.

If we unite as a community, we can send a strong message that this needless and detrimental proposal will not be tolerated in Denton.

This is our community, not Quorum’s, and we deserve to be heard”.

Residents wishing to appeal are required to do so before the deadline on the 29th of September.


** Gwynne slams Government as wage decline is revealed
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Andrew Gwynne, MP for Denton and Reddish, has heavily criticised the Government after Labour analysis revealed that working people were £1000-a-year worse off after a decade of Conservative rule.

Using Office for National Statistics Data, Labour have shown that when inflation is taken into account, a salary in 2021 is worth less than a salary in 2010. On average, wages have fallen by 3.45%. The figures highlight impact of wage stagnation and decline, and come as Rishi Sunak plans to slash the £20 uplift to universal credit. Around 40% of Universal Credit claimants are already in work, and the Joseph Rowntree Foundation has estimated that up to 500,000 people could be pulled into poverty overnight by the change.

The research also shows that wage decline has not been equally distributed among regions. In the North West, 63% of constituencies have seen a real term pay cut, compared to 59% in the East Midlands and 44% in Scotland. Labour is now calling for an immediate increase in the minimum wage to at least £10 p/h.

The figures come after Labour released their own employment plan on Monday, in which it committed to the £10 p/h minimum wage, outlined how it would protect workers rights, provide work flexibility, and ensure sick pay for every employee.

Speaking after the figures were released, Andrew Gwynne said:

“These figures are disgraceful, and shine a light on the disastrous impact of a decade of Conservative Government. People in this country deserve a fair wage that enables them to live without worrying about how they are going to put food on the table or pay bills.

Wage decline has had a devastating impact on individuals and families across the country, and the Government just doesn’t seem to care. More than that, they are planning on cutting the £20 universal credit uplift – which has been a vital lifeline over the last year and a half for so many people.

These figures show that ‘levelling up’ is just a useful slogan for the Tories. In order to make a difference to those in Greater Manchester, the Government needs to actually stand by working people, and give them a proper wage.”


** Gwynne urges Government to do more to support veterans into work

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Andrew Gwynne, MP for Denton and Reddish has called on the Government to do more to help personnel, veterans and their families find work after they leave the Armed Forces. Gwynne’s comments follow the news that the Government will not fulfil one of its key veteran’s employment pledges.

In 2019, the Government announced plans to employ 100 specialist advisers – or ‘Armed Forces Champions’ – in job centres across the country. But Ministers now admit that just half that number will be hired.

The change means that there will be just one Armed Forces Champion to support every 14,000 working age veterans into employment. And a single specialist adviser could be set to cover all job centres in the whole of Denton and Reddish.

The unemployment rate for veterans is 7%, almost double the level of the general population.

Ministers have faced criticism from both Labour and service charities that their Armed Forces Bill doesn’t provide any further assistance to Forces personnel, veterans and their families to gain employment. The Government told its MPs to vote against a recent Labour amendment to widen the scope of the Bill at Report Stage to include provisions to support veterans into work.

Andrew Gwynne said:

“Forces personnel, veterans and their families urgently need more support to find work. Yet the Government have broken their pledge to provide specialist advice.

Across Denton and Reddish charities and community groups have constistently come together to support veterans, yet have not had their actions and efforts matched by the Government.

Veterans and service personnel have sacrificed so much for this country, and ministers must now take action and outline how they will support veterans into employment, and fulfil their promise to provide specialist advice.”

Labour’s Shadow Defence Secretary John Healey commented:

“Ministers are failing our Forces personnel and veterans. They have outstanding skills from their military service but many need help to get civilian employers to see their talents or to deal with problems in getting work.

Labour want to see Ministers do more to support our veterans get work and successful civilian careers.”

Read More of This Week's Stories ([link removed])
Andrew in the Constituency


** Dane Bank Green Space taster day 🌳
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It was great to get over to the Dane Bank Green Space ‘taster day’ on Saturday.
This group was initially set up to campaign against plans to sell the Windsor Road fields and develop them for housing.

Now that’s off the table, they’ve established themselves into a charity, got a 25 year lease on part of the land, and are developing exciting plans for improving the area for leisure, nature conservation and recreation.

It’s great they’re also working with the local Angling Club, the Tameside's People 4 Wildlife ([link removed]) group and a Forest School as part of their plans.

Good luck! And thanks for a really enjoyable afternoon.


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** Friends of the Tame Valley volunteering day 💚
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One of the most satisfying things I’ve done in 2021 is help to establish the Friends of the Tame Valley ([link removed]) . We are making a huge difference to our bit of the valley stretching from Shepley in Audenshaw down to Mill Lane in Haughton Green.

On Sunday we did some more clearing up of the river bank at Jet Amber Fields and were joined by the wonderful Mersey Rivers Trust ([link removed]) . All of our volunteers were absolutely marvellous! Keep your eyes peeled for our next volunteering day, and get involved! It makes a real difference and is a great day out.


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** Brass Band Bonanza! 🎺 🎼
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After FoTV volunteering, I went over to Audenshaw’s magnificent Ryecroft Hall for the latest brass band concert in the town.

Team Audenshaw ([link removed]) work so hard in the local community, and these concerts have been a great way to bring people together after months of lockdown. It was also a fitting time to commemorate the life of Pauline Cotterill who was a stalwart of the brilliant Ryecroft Hall Community Association ([link removed]) .

And in the sunshine, it’s always nice to sit in the Hall grounds and listen to the St John’s (Droylsden) band, and eat an ice cream.

Well done to Oliver Ryan ([link removed]) , Teresa Smith ([link removed]) and Charlotte Martin ([link removed]) for a perfect afternoon 👏🏻


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Andrew in Parliament
Parliament is currently in recess but will return on the 6th of September 🗓️
Andrew in the media


** The situation in Afghanistan matters here in Tameside - My weekly article for the Tameside Reporter
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📰 READ: In this week's Tameside Reporter ([link removed]) , I've written about the devastating situation in Afghanistan, the tremendous sacrifices made by British troops abroad, and why the crisis matters here in Tameside. To read the full article click here ([link removed]) .
Community Board

Local author Leanne Brown has started writing a fantastic series of books to promote, help and raise awareness for mental health in children. Leanne wants to bring these books to schools, parents and organisations to help promote mental health in children.

You can find out more, including how to buy the books, on her website. ([link removed])

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Andrew Gwynne
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Manchester, Greater Manchester M34 3DY
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