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The Romiley Gazette

Davey Launches Lib Dem Campaign — But Where Is the Delivery Locally?

Padden Brook Posted by Sheila OliverPosted on Tue, March 24, 2026 14:16

24th March 2026

Ed Davey this week launched the Liberal Democrats’ local election campaign, setting out his party’s pitch to voters ahead of May’s polls. The speech focused on community politics, cost-of-living pressures, and a rejection of what he described as “divisive” national political approaches.

He even leaned into the idea of Liberal Democrats as the party that “fix the church roof” — presenting his party as one rooted in local action and community service.

On the surface, it is a message that should resonate: practical politics, local delivery, and standing up for communities. But here in our own area, residents may reasonably ask — where is that delivery?

Because the reality on the ground often tells a very different story.

Locally, Liberal Democrat representatives frequently present themselves as champions of the environment and community wellbeing. Yet when it comes to tangible action, many residents feel let down. One clear example repeatedly raised by locals is the condition and treatment of Padden Brook — an issue that has become symbolic of wider inaction.

If a party claims environmental leadership, it must be judged on outcomes, not slogans. Neglected waterways, lack of visible improvement, and slow or absent responses to community concerns undermine the very message being promoted at a national level.

There is also a broader disconnect. While national speeches talk about empowering communities, too many people feel unheard locally. Engagement cannot just happen at election time — it must be consistent, visible, and effective.

The Liberal Democrats are right about one thing: people want practical action close to home. But that raises an unavoidable question — if that is their central message, why do so many communities feel they are not getting it?

Political speeches can set a tone. They can outline ambition. But ultimately, voters judge what they see in their own streets, parks, and neighbourhoods.

If the Liberal Democrats want to be seen as the party of local action, they must demonstrate it — clearly, consistently, and where it matters most.

Because in the end, it is not what is said on a stage that counts.

It is what gets done on the ground.

Padden Brook Planning Corruption



Political Analysis – Lib Dems Face Uneasy Future Amid Polling Uncertainty, Green Surge – and Local Anger in Stockport.

Padden Brook, Vexatious Posted by Sheila OliverPosted on Thu, March 19, 2026 06:36

19th March 2026

A lively internal debate among Liberal Democrat supporters this week has laid bare a growing sense of concern within the party, as recent polling paints an uncertain—and increasingly crowded—political landscape.

Across multiple polls, the Liberal Democrats remain stuck between 10% and 14%, while the Green Party fluctuates far more widely—suggesting a volatile and unpredictable electorate. But beyond the national picture, it is local issues here in Stockport that may prove even more politically dangerous.

Local Flashpoints: Padden Brook and the Green Belt

Few issues have angered residents more than the controversy surrounding Padden Brook.

A legally protected Local Wildlife Site has, according to residents, suffered significant damage after clearance works began, with trees felled and habitats disrupted and no enforcement action taken, so far, in 19 months. For many, this has become symbolic of a wider frustration: that environmental protections are not being upheld in practice.

At the same time, Stockport’s draft Local Plan proposes around 30,000 new homes, with a significant proportion potentially affecting green belt land. Campaigners warn this could lead to loss of countryside, increased congestion, and mounting pressure on local infrastructure.

Taken together, these issues risk undermining the party’s environmental credibility at precisely the moment it faces a growing challenge from the Greens.

Cycle Lanes, Housing, and Local Backlash

Alongside environmental concerns, more everyday policies are also causing friction.

Some residents have voiced strong opposition to new cycle lanes and traffic schemes, seeing them as disruptive or poorly implemented. Others are angered by the scale and location of proposed housebuilding.

The result is a growing sense of disconnect. Many long-standing Liberal Democrat voters in Stockport are increasingly frustrated—and, in some cases, actively looking elsewhere.

A New Challenger—and a Squeeze from All Sides

Adding to the pressure is the emergence of Restore Britain, which is beginning to attract support on the right, further fragmenting the vote.

At the same time, the Greens are advancing among younger and urban voters—the very ground the Liberal Democrats had hoped to reclaim.

This creates a clear electoral squeeze:

  • Greens pulling voters from the left
  • Restore Britain pulling from the right
  • Local anger weakening core support

Strategic Drift and a Warning from the Ground

Within the party itself, contributors point to deeper problems: a lack of clear economic direction, overreliance on southern seats, and messaging that fails to resonate with younger or less affluent voters.

There is also growing recognition that environmental credibility must be demonstrated locally—not just claimed nationally.

In Stockport, controversies like Padden Brook and green belt development cut directly against that message.

The Lib Dem Squeeze – Visualised

1. National Vote Pressure

Vote Share Trend (approx.)

Greens        █████████████████░░░   11% → 21%  (rising, volatile)
Lib Dems      ██████████░░░░░░░░░    10% → 14%  (flat, squeezed)
Restore       ██████░░░░░░░░░░░░     5%  → 10%  (emerging)

Key:
█ = support level     ░ = potential growth space

2. The Three-Way Squeeze

                 GREENS
                   ▲
                   │
                   │  Losing progressive voters
                   │
   Local anger ◄── LIB DEMS ──► Restore Britain
 (housing, env.)        Losing centre/right voters

3. Local Risk Factors (Stockport)

Impact Level

Padden Brook damage        ██████████████
Green belt housing         ██████████████████
Cycle lane backlash        ███████████
General dissatisfaction    ███████████████

Overall Political Risk     ████████████████████

Conclusion: A Critical Moment

For Liberal Democrats in Romiley and across Stockport, the warning signs are becoming harder to ignore.

National polling may show stagnation—but locally, the picture is more troubling. Environmental controversies, unpopular planning decisions, and a sense of disconnect with voters are combining to create real political risk.

Unless addressed, the party may find itself squeezed not just in Westminster projections—but on its own doorstep.



Just One More Question…..

Padden Brook, Vexatious Posted by Sheila OliverPosted on Tue, March 17, 2026 07:19

17th March 2026

Why has the dumped butty van been on W1 protected woodland/protected amenity land for 19 months Vicki Bates/Emma Curle?

You can read more about the general dereliction of duty of Stockport Council’s senior officers/local politicans here –

https://blog.cromptonthedog.com/category/padden-brook

Planning Supremo – Stockport Council.



Chainsaw Damage Reported at Padden Brook – 18 Months On, Still No Action.

Padden Brook, Vexatious Posted by Sheila OliverPosted on Tue, March 17, 2026 05:33

17th March 2026

A warning about alleged damage to protected land at Padden Brook has gone unanswered for over a year – and residents are now demanding to know why.

In September 2024, Romiley resident Sheila Oliver and other local residents contacted Stockport Council to report what she described as a landowner using a chainsaw on protected visual amenity land. She warned the activity could breach Tree Preservation Orders and the Wildlife and Countryside Act 1981.

The council’s response at the time was minimal. A senior legal officer, Vicki Bates, Monitoring Officer, confirmed only that the matter had been “forwarded to the neighbourhoods team to action.”

No action appears to have followed.

Now, in March 2026, residents say there has been no visible enforcement, no public update, and no accountability.

The silence is raising serious questions — not just for council officers, but for local political leaders.

LibDem MP Lisa Smart, along with ward councillors Angela Clark, Mark Roberts and Rachel Bresnahan, have all been linked to ongoing complaints around planning and environmental concerns in the Hatherlow area.

Residents say they now expect those representatives to explain what has — or hasn’t — been done.

At the heart of the issue is a simple question: if protected land may have been damaged and subjected to dumping of large objects, why has no enforcement action been taken?

For many in Romiley, this is becoming about more than one incident. It is about trust in the system — and whether environmental protections are being upheld at all.

Calls are now growing for a full public explanation, immediate investigation, and clear evidence that local green spaces are being properly protected.

Until then, residents say, the message from Padden Brook is clear: report it — and risk being ignored.

You can read more about this issue here – https://blog.cromptonthedog.com/category/padden-brook/

The culprits

Emma Curle, Planning

Here is my LibDem MP Lisa Smart trying to save land she has spent the last 14 years trying to destroy with and extension to the LibDems’ disaster bypass.

LibDem councillor leader, Mark Roberts, who has not taken any action regarding Padden Brook whasover. Neither have Cllrs Clark & Bresnahan below.



Romiley Resident Challenges “Vexatious” Label in Dispute with Stockport Council.

Local Politicians, Padden Brook, Vexatious Posted by Sheila OliverPosted on Sun, March 15, 2026 14:39

15th March 2026

How it was

And how it is now

A Romiley resident has challenged Stockport Council after her correspondence about environmental concerns at a local site was formally classified as “vexatious” under the Freedom of Information Act.

Sheila Oliver, who describes herself as a local authority researcher and member of the Citizens 2022 Committee, raised concerns about what she says is the destruction of a protected Local Wildlife Site and amenity land around Padden Brook.

Mrs Oliver says she contacted councillors and council officers over a period of more than seven months seeking action regarding what she described as “ongoing environmental damage” at the site. According to her complaint, she received no response for more than 220 days before being told that the activity in question had been described by the council as “improvement” or “tidying up.”

In her formal complaint to the council’s Monitoring Officer, Mrs Oliver said the decision by an Information Governance officer to classify her communications as “vexatious” was unjustified.

She wrote that her correspondence was “fact-based, respectful and driven by public interest,” arguing that the repeated contact was necessary because of the lack of response from elected officials. She said the label had caused distress and risked discouraging residents from raising legitimate concerns about environmental protection.

Mrs Oliver requested a review of the decision, an apology from the council, and confirmation that the environmental concerns regarding Padden Brook would be properly assessed.

In a response sent by the council’s Assistant Director for Governance and Monitoring Officer, Vicki Bates, Stockport Council confirmed that a formal internal review had already taken place.

The council stated that the decision to apply Section 14(1) of the Freedom of Information Act — which allows authorities to refuse requests considered “vexatious” — had been reviewed and upheld.

According to the council, the classification was made in line with guidance from the Information Commissioner’s Office (ICO). That guidance states that a request may be considered vexatious if it places a disproportionate burden on a public authority, lacks serious purpose or value, or forms part of a pattern of unreasonable behaviour.

However, the council added that each case is considered on its own merits and that such decisions must be “evidence-based and proportionate.”

Mrs Oliver has been advised that if she remains dissatisfied with the outcome of the internal review, she has the right to escalate the matter to the Information Commissioner’s Office, the independent body responsible for regulating the Freedom of Information Act.

The council also noted that while the Local Government and Social Care Ombudsman does not usually investigate complaints solely about Freedom of Information decisions, it may consider cases where wider issues of maladministration are alleged.

The dispute comes amid wider local interest in the condition and protection of green spaces across the Romiley area, particularly around waterways and designated wildlife sites.



Rubbish Still Present at Padden Brook Site 8 Months After Concerns Raised.

Padden Brook, Vexatious Posted by Sheila OliverPosted on Sun, March 15, 2026 14:21

15th March 2026

The matter has again been raised with Ms Bates and Ms Curle today.

Rubbish remains on land near Padden Brook in Romiley more than eight months after concerns were raised with Stockport Council about the condition of the site.

Local resident Sheila Oliver wrote to council officials in July 2025 calling for a Section 215 notice to be issued, a planning enforcement power that allows councils to require landowners to clean up land that is considered to be adversely affecting the amenity of an area.

In her email, Oliver urged the council to act immediately regarding waste and site conditions at the Padden Brook area. .

Responding at the time, Vicki Bates, Assistant Director for Governance and Monitoring Officer at Stockport Council, confirmed that the matter had been passed on for consideration.

“Thank you for your email. I have forwarded this to the Chief Planning Officer, Emma Curle, to consider,” she wrote.

However, as of 15 March 2026, residents say rubbish is still present on the site.

A Section 215 notice, issued under the Town and Country Planning Act 1990, can require landowners to improve the appearance of land where its condition harms the surrounding area. Failure to comply can lead to enforcement action and potential fines.

The continuing presence of waste on the land has led some local residents to question whether stronger enforcement action should have been taken earlier.

It is currently unclear whether the council has issued a Section 215 notice or whether other enforcement steps are under consideration.

The Romiley Gazette has contacted Stockport Council for an update on the status of the site and whether enforcement action is planned.

Residents concerned about the condition of land in their area can report issues through the council’s planning enforcement service.

More about this issue can be read here – https://blog.cromptonthedog.com/category/padden-brook/



Council Meeting Question to LibDem Cllr Mark Hunter. 10th September 2024. No action Taken To Date.

Padden Brook, Vexatious Posted by Sheila OliverPosted on Sat, March 14, 2026 17:14

14th March 2026

You can read more about this issue here – https://blog.cromptonthedog.com/category/padden-brook/



Another Council Meeting Question from October 2024 Completely Ignored.

Padden Brook, Vexatious Posted by Sheila OliverPosted on Sat, March 14, 2026 15:34

14th March 2026



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