Fran....I agree with you 100%. My remark about affordable housing was based on the short sightedness of planners and the lust for profit in speculative builders. Now that we are facing a torrid time in funding markets, the desire for profit from places like Didsbury will, sadly, increase.

Anyone who thinks parking round here is ok should run the gauntlet with cars parking dangerously outside our local post office....I am neither elderley nor a buggy-pushing parent, but it can be a dangerous, scary experience.

If the education dept is moving, I hop MMU will be prompt in advising how the campus will be deployed. They obviously know already otherwise the move would not have happened....so MMU, what's it to be???

   I assume Betty Jane is not a Didsbury resident?

   The comments that the move of MMU from Didsbury will damage local business are incorrect. A major government study found that universities only bought benefits to local economies when they were situated in depressed areas, such as Hull. Where there is a vibrant economy there is a negative effect. If you prefer your evidence to be more local, then Geoff, come with me to Rusholme to visit the local fishmongers, the delicatessen, bakery and shoe shop....can't see them, no neither can I...they disappeared as the student population increased because the student pound is largely spent on things that the younger population enjoy - entertainment, going out and the cheaper food that students can afford. Even Aldi could not survive in Rusholme. Is that what you want for Axons, Evans and the other independent traders.

Groucho, you say affordable housing can never happen. Well it will never happen while people do nothing. It did happen in London and should be routine here as well.

Betty Jane, what's your definition of moaning. Look at what we asked for:

for parents not to have to push their buggies into the road because the pavement was impassable, for health workers to be able to get a parking space to visit new mums and the elderly, for disabled people to be able to get into the park and for ambulances/fire engines to be able to get to our houses if they needed to and last but not least to be able to use our driveways. Which one of those don't you agree with?

   At least moaning residents will now be happy!!!

   How typical of the University!

They want to work with the local community but don't care about parking....and how about their disgaceful closure of the swimming pool, used by so many local children over the years.Consultation?? As if...!!

It will suit our left wing council to see the students (non rate peyrs) all based in central Manchester with the current site sold (despite poor market conditions) for housing....and sorry Fran, there will be no affordable housing, on which residents/ ratepayers will pay full whack. I wish there was affordable housing but let's stand on planet earth.

And who are the local bisunesses who will lose out....not the estate agents....the restaurants? the pubs? ..or Subway??

Actually I will be sorry to see MMU relocate. In the same way I was sorry to see Healds Dairy go The end of an era....I predict yet more flats, and more crowding.

And of course, will we need a tram link then...by the way, that's a joke!!