The tireless work of the amazing Biddulph in Bloom team has again been rewarded as Biddulph were named winners of the best large town category in the Heart of England region of Britain in Bloom and were again presented with a Gold Award.

The Biddulph in Bloom team, led by the indefatigable councillor Hilda Sheldon MBE, also won the Chairman’s Memorial Trophy for the best floral display. The judges commented on the outstanding displays in Biddulph saying: “The difference that Hilda and her group of dedicated volunteers make to Biddulph becomes apparent as soon as you enter the town. Traffic islands, well maintained and planted, surrounded by colourful barriers and baskets would leave many local authority displays in the shade.” [Read more…]

Biddulph residents are being encouraged to get involved in the development of the town’s Neighbourhood Plan. The Neighbourhood Plan gives residents and local groups their say on what is needed and is suitable for them in their area. There is support available to help put them together and a series of workshops have been arranged for people wanting to get involved. Sessions for Biddulph North, Gillow Heath and Knypersley will take place throughout October. A combined meeting for the Gillow Heath and Biddulph North areas will be at 7pm on Tuesday, 27th October, at St Lawrence’s Church. More information is available by calling 01782 297845 or emailing biddulph@ staffordshire.gov.uk

Plans for new allotments in Springfield Road have been met with a mixed response. Biddulph Town Council Allotments Committee have submitted an application for 31 new allotments with access path and landscaping on vacant land in Springfield Road to satisfy a pressing need for gardening space. The Town Council currrent has two allotments sites – one in Moorland Road and one off Park Lane – which are in great demand and are currently full with long waiting lists. But the plans have been met with a mixed response. [Read more…]

A review of the recycling centres in the Staffordshire Moorlands has led to the decision to close the ‘bring’ recycling sites including those in Biddulph. ‘Bring’ sites are recycling points the council provide where residents can take their recyclable items such as bottles/paper/plastic/textiles and tin. They currently provide 27 recycling ‘bring’ sites but following a review have taken the decision to close them. The bring sites to be closed in Biddulph are at Biddulph Valley Leisure Centre and Mill Hayes Sports Ground. The review was taken as the contracts for the service, provision and maintenance of the sites comes to an end on the 31st October this year. Alternatives to closure that were considered were to procure new contracts or to reduce the number of sites from 27 to 10. The amount of waste collected from bring recycling centres has steadily fallen (down 68%) since 2007 as the council have moved more towards collecting from households at the kerbside. The report states: [Read more…]

 

Staffordshire Moorlands District Council has agreed to invest more than £300,000 on Biddulph Town Hall following complaints about conditions of the venue.

Biddulph Town Hall is owned and managed by Staffordshire Moorlands DC and is used as a Council Chamber; for public functions, community events and activities; and is a working town hall with office accomodation, which includes the police. In 2014 the police notified SMDC that their current office accomodation within Biddulph Town Hall was not fit for purpose which led to council officials examining the building to come up with better designs to maximize the potential of the Town Hall and to retain the police as tenants. [Read more…]

 

 

 

 

 

Plans to close the Biddulph Waste and Recycling Centre in Bemersley Road have been dumped.

The Biddulph waste tip was originally proposed for closure due to the supposed proximity of alternative facilities, and to save Staffs County Council around £150,000 a year. But residents and local councillors complained that the nearest county council run recycling centres in Leek or Burslem were far from easy for Biddulph residents to access. [Read more…]

 

Staffordshire Moorlands District Council has reassured bowlers in Biddulph that it shares their desire to see the new bowling green and pavilion opened as soon as possible.

As part of its commitment to improving facilities and opportunities for Moorlands residents to take part in a variety of sporting activity, the Council has invested £750,000 in the new amenities which are expected to open this summer as planned. Councillor Brian Johnson, cabinet member with responsibility for sport and leisure at the Council, said: “The Council and Biddulph Bowling and Recreation Club are working together on the terms of lease and we are both keen to conclude matters as soon as possible. [Read more…]

Residents across the Staffordshire Moorlands are being urged to take part in a consultation about potential sites for housing, employment and other development in the area over the next 15 years.

Staffordshire Moorlands District Council has published a long list of possible development sites and is now urging the public to have their say before deciding which sites are the preferred options. The consultation started on Monday 6 July and will run for ten weeks until Monday 14 September to ensure that everyone who wants to get involved has ample opportunity to so. All households and businesses in the Moorlands will receive information about the site options and how to make their views known and the consultation will include drop-in sessions in Biddulph, Blythe Bridge, Cheadle, Kingsley, Leek and Werrington where you can speak to Council officers. [Read more…]