The reasons behind this proposal are twofold. First and most importantly, to Lyn and Russell, is to safeguard the public access to the space that they feel belongs to the community. The aim of the project has always been to create a space that can be enjoyed by the community. Secondly of course it would provide them with off road parking and an alternative route for bins.
A separate suggestion proposed by Russell and Lyn, is to create a small gate to the side of the chapel into the Town Hall car park to provide flat public access to the graveyard for the first time ever. All proposals would be at the expense of the current owners, Russell and Lyn.
The council agreed to put the proposals to the community and a public consultation was planned.
Since the initial idea was put forward, other suggestions of how to use the space have been proposed by members of the public and NMTC. Limited details of these suggestions and Russell and Lyn’s ideas have been published in the town councils’ minutes on 9th December 2024, but unfortunately the public consultation has not happened which has caused a lot of upset to some members of the community and to Russell and Lyn.
As some people may already be aware, and for transparency, since planning permission for the Mount Pleasant restoration was granted by High Peak Borough Council, Lyn has been elected as a member of New Mills Town Council. However, because of the conflict of interest she has not been party to any of the discussions so cannot provide any further details about the alternative proposals.
Details of Russell and Lyn's initial ideas as submitted in January 2024 can be seen in full here –
Proposal
If you would like to leave feedback about Lyn and Russell’s ideas or the other suggestions, you can do that here –