WHAT WE ARE TRYING TO DO ...

TO ENCOURAGE HIGH QUALITY IN ARCHITECTURE AND PLANNING

• By systematic inspection and comments upon Planning Applications, domestic and commercial.
• By liaising with Council Officers to discuss our approach to these matters.
• By studying and commenting upon plans for Development – such as Structure and Development Plans – so we are concerned with broad scale issues as well as matters of neighbourhood detail.
• By appearing at inquiries as well as giving written evidence.
• By divising Guidelines for Development, e.g. our Bollin valley Guidelines were adopted by the local council in 1964/65 and notice was taken of suggested meetings with adjoining councils to consider a whole-length approach.
• By proposing the pedestrianisation of Grove Street, Wilmslow, after undertaking opinion surveys of the public and shopkeepers to provide objective analysis of the issues, and proposing an access scheme for the rear of commercial premises.
• By keeping abreast of road/traffic/parking issues, and commenting to the relevant council, e.g we conducted a traffic survey on the A538 road to Macclesfield  

TO PRESERVE BUILDINGS OF ARCHITECTURAL DISTINCTION AND HISTORICAL INTEREST

• By making suggestions for Listing or Conservation Area Designation, and commenting on changes to Guidelines for Conservation Areas.
• By giving verbal and written evidence at Inquiries and Appeals when any of these buildings or areas are under threat. Examples are the preservation of the Georgian terrace on Manchester Road, the Quaker Meeting House on Altrincham Road, the terraces on Old Road and River Street, the terraced cottages on Mill Street, and the George and Dragon.

TO PROTECT THE BEAUTIES OF THE COUNTRYSIDE

• By suggesting and monitoring tree preservation.
• Bollin Valley Project and Guidelines.
• By upholding the preservation of the Green Belt and commenting on any intrusive development proposals.
• By concern for urban landscapes and parks.
• By helping in any council-sponsored planting schemes.

TO ELIMINATE AND PREVENT UGLINESS (WHETHER FROM DESIGN OR NEGLECT)

• By regularly inspecting and commenting on development proposals
• By taking initiatives, e.g. for many years maintaining the former little garden in Church Street opposite the old George & Dragon pub; planting trees in conjunction with local primary schools; planting bulbs in selected green areas. Pinpointing eyesores and taking action.
• By instituting in 2012 a Design Award of plaques to new buildings nominated as possessing high architectural merit.

TO STIMULATE PUBLIC INTEREST AND INSPIRE A SENSE OF CIVIC PRIDE

• By talks on various aspects of our aims – centred on our town, its amenities, its environment, its facilities, its appearance, its beauties (and grot spots, with problems and possible solutions), its settings, its neighbours, its fine buildings, etc. . .and, above all, any impending proposals for development. Speakers are usually experts, and take questions from the audience.
• By mounting exhibitions. For example, we have assembled exhibitions on historic Wilmslow buildings, and on Lindow Man and his times
• By organising visits to historic places, buildings and facilities. We have ranged quite far afield – as far as Cardiff and Carlisle, and travelled by train, coach, or canal – often to hear talks by local experts to widen our appreciation, and see how other bodies treat their natural and built environments
• By our own contributions to the quality of life in Wilmslow
• By a social programme
• By contact with the local press, by publications and posters
• By publishing a regular newsletter for members
• By representing the Trust on other civic bodies, such as the Wilmslow Forum, and the Lindow Common Committee

TO ACT AS A SOUNDING BOARD FOR PUBLIC OPINION ON MATTERS OF INTEREST TO OUR MEMBERSHIP AND THE COMMUNITY IN GENERAL

• We gain feedback from our members, at meetings, by responses to our newsletter, by formal polls (as in the case of replacing Wilmslow Library) or street surveys (as in the case of Grove Street pedestrianisation)
• We collaborate with the authorities where appropriate, as we did in 2009 in canvassing public responses to the successful proposal for a Wilmslow Town Council.