Stockport Council has been ordered to pay £28,000 after its legal bid to stop new homes being built failed. The local authority now plans to spend more money appealing the latest court decision.
Plans for Woodford Garden Village
The Woodford Garden Village, on the former Woodford Aerodrome, would include up to 775 homes, a new pub, an extra care unit, and a primary school. The plans have been controversial due to the potential impact on the surrounding countryside, with opposition from residents and councillors.
The development was refused by Stockport Council but later allowed on appeal due to the need for new housing and public open space. The council then asked for the Planning Inspectorate's decision to be judicially reviewed.
High Court Decision
That legal review was thrown out in a July 15 High Court decision, with the council ordered to pay £28,000 in costs. Justice Timothy Mould said the council's 'overarching submission under this ground identifies no arguable error of law'.
Criticising the council over education and sports provision, he said: “An obvious and perfectly lawful approach to resolving that issue was to ask whether the contributions towards education and sports infrastructure proposed by the developer were acceptable.”
Council's Alternative Proposals Rejected
The council's alternative proposals were deemed as having 'no legal significance'. The judge added: “It is trite law that where proposed development is judged to be acceptable for planning purposes […] the fact that an alternative scheme of development may bring additional benefits or advantages is not a proper basis for the refusal of planning permission.”
Matthew Shrigley, who made the decision to grant planning permission on behalf of the Planning Inspectorate, was praised for his 'legally impeccable' and 'unimpeachable in law' approach. The judge said his arguments were 'both reasonable and sufficiently explained', adding: “The inspector is not writing an examination paper in which he is obliged to resolve every point of dispute arising on the evidence.”
Further Appeal
Steve Neal, Harrow Estate's Planning Director, said: “The challenge by Stockport Metropolitan Borough Council of the Planning Inspectorate's approval of the Woodford Garden Village extension was rejected by the Courts on July 12 2026, and they have had costs awarded against them.
“However, the law allows a further challenge of this decision which Stockport have decided to pursue. The matter will now be considered at a hearing in the Royal Courts of Justice later this year.
“We must now wait for the conclusion of this process before continuing to deliver much-needed new homes.”
Coun Jake Austin, Cabinet Member for Housing and Environment, said: “The council was incredibly disappointed to receive the decision of His Hon. Mr Justice Mould to refuse permission to apply for the judicial review.
“We can advise that we have already applied for renewal and that the courts have agreed. The associated oral hearing will take place later this year.”
