Concern over arts centre plan for hall
PLANS to turn public hall into an events space have sparked controversy.
A group of residents has written to Trafford council to object after the hall’s owners, Friends of Stretford Public Hall (FOSPH), submitted proposals to the town hall’s planning committee.
The FOSPH group took over the space in 2015, saving the building from private sale.
Members said they planned to turn the building into an arts and events space, with more than 800 residents and organisations investing in the building through a community share offer in 2017.
The plans revolve around the change of use of Stretford Public Hall from offices to a mixture of community spaces.
The objecting group of residents said their concerns centre around proposed later opening hours and loud music.
They’ve also cited parking issues.
They wrote: “The residents are not against the hall, we just want it not to negatively impact our lives.”
A spokesperson for FOSPH said: “We secured our ownership on the understanding that the hall would be reopened as an arts and events space.
“Since that time, we have raised over £1m of investment to restore the Grade II-listed hall and to support our community activities. We have just completed an 18-month restoration of the hall’s historic ballroom and we are really looking forward to being able to reopen to the public.
“We are aware of the concerns of a small number of local residents regarding our late night use of the building, and we have been working closely with the council’s planning team to ensure that our operations do not impact on local residents.”