Councillors have recommended rejecting two planning applications for nearly 1,000 new homes in and around Woodford, Stockport, after hearing claims that residents feel cheated and are leaving the village because promised infrastructure has not been delivered.
The comments were made at a Bramhall area committee meeting in Stockport last week, where both applications were considered. Each has faced opposition over concerns about the green belt.
Two applications, two recommendations
One application, put forward by Barratt Homes and David Wilson Homes, seeks to develop land on Upper Swineseye Farm and build potentially 455 homes, of which 50% would be affordable. Stockport council officers recommended that this plan be rejected.
However, plans from JAG Woodford Ltd and Russell LDP for land south of Chester Road were recommended for approval by officers. If approved, those plans could see 423 houses built alongside up to 72 apartments for people aged over 55, and a 72-bed care home.
Councillors ultimately decided to recommend that their planning committee colleagues reject both applications.
Residents feel cheated
During a debate on the Chester Road application, Liberal Democrat councillor Jeremy Meal said there were frustrations in the village over promises made by developers that have still not materialised.
Referring to a new school in the village proposed as part of a previously approved development, he said: "I think, rightly, residents feel cheated in Woodford when ultimate control of the school expansion is out of direct council control, because basically this has all been promised before."
He said parents were now 'having to ferry children to more distant schools', causing more traffic and congestion. He also criticised the planting of 'non-natural' trees in the Woodford Garden Village, which he described as 'very sterile' and 'plastic sort of from the garden centre type plantings'.
Promises not delivered
Conservative councillor Peter Crossen questioned whether the properties would be affordable for those who need them and questioned promises to invest in local services and infrastructure.
Describing people in the village as 'once bitten, twice shy', he said: "I do not believe we should be confusing aspirations with guarantees, particularly when those aspirations are being used primarily and in the face of residents as a reason to justify permanent development on this land."
He added: "Living in Woodford, I see many houses up for sale at the moment. Many houses of neighbours of mine that have moved in, stayed there for a year to two years and realised that the infrastructure is not there to support them and their family.
"They were promised schools, they were promised NHS care, they were promised health centres, they were promised all sorts that weren't delivered. I am sure planners set out with the best of intentions to deliver them originally, but they have just not happened."
Developer's response
Gary Lynch, speaking on behalf of Russell LDP, said they had 'put forward a high quality and sustainable development that responds positively to its surroundings', adding: "The result is a landscape-led master plan that celebrates and protects established trees, field boundaries and ponds, whilst providing an extensive new nature park framed around recreation and ecological enhancement and is accessible to the wider community."
He said they had taken on board concerns, improvements would be made to local bus routes, housing shortfalls in Stockport addressed, and support given for a new health centre and day nursery. The development also includes a care home.
Officers had recommended the plans for approval. A report said: "Whilst noting the adverse impacts of the proposed development in relation to harm to the green belt, loss of dwellings and impact on heritage assets, there would be a considerable number of benefits over a much wider range of considerations."
Councillors will make a final decision on both planning applications at a later date.
