Anger as plan for 200 homes gets go-ahead
ACONTROVERSIAL plan to build up to 200 new homes on fields in Hazel Grove in Stockport has been approved by the Planning Inspectorate (PI).
Developer MAN Energy Solutions submitted the plan for Mirrlees Fields to Stockport council in June 2021 and it was refused in January last year.
The council’s decision stated that the development would result in “the loss of a large area of high quality strategic open and natural green space in an area of open space deficiency” and would “significantly and demonstrably outweigh the benefits proposed by the development.”
An inquiry over the future of the land has taken place, with the PI overruling the local authority and granting planning permission.
Half of the new homes are set to be designated as “affordable”, but there has been strong opposition to the loss of the green space as part of the development.
The PI’s decision stated the council’s plan to build 4,000 new homes in Stockport is a “significant shortfall” against the borough’s housing requirements.
The council does not currently have a local plan for housing, but it has committed to creating one after the Government’s review of national planning rules.
Councillor Mark Hunter, leader of the council and of the Lib Dems in Stockport, said the PI’s decision was “incredibly disappointing.”
He said: “Stockport was making strong progress with its local plan and was on the verge of launching a consultation on this when, in December 2022 and after months of wrangling in the
Tory leadership contests, Michael Gove announced a review of the planning rules. We paused our consultation in the expectation that this would be sorted quickly but he took almost exactly a year to get his act together. The new rules mean that we can now progress with a local plan that will enable us to protect our green belt from speculative developments. The pause also means we saved council tax payers around £200k had we consulted on the old planning rules.”
Stockport Labour leader, Coun David Meller, said the decision is “utterly damning on the Lib Dem administration.”
He told the LDRS: “Their reckless behaviour is now catching up with them and it’s damaging Stockport.
“The Planning Inspector, who is independent of government, is clear: if we had an up-to-date local plan, we’d be delivering enough homes in the right places and most importantly, we’d be delivering more affordable homes for Stockport residents..”
Mary Robinson, Conservative MP for Cheadle, wrote on Facebook: “It is incredibly disappointing that the Planning Inspector has granted permission for 200 houses to be built. Importantly they state that the lack of a five-year housing supply, caused by the Lib Dem failure to produce a local plan, formed part of their decision.”
Coun Tom Morrison, Lib Dem parliamentary candidate for Cheadle, said: “This is just an insult to the people around Mirrlees Fields. Many people campaigned so hard to protect this land that is much treasured by them.”
Louise Durose, general counsel MAN Energy Solutions, said: “MAN Energy
Solutions UK is pleased to have received a positive outcome for the planning appeal at Mirrlees Fields.
“We have been working to find a solution to secure the long future of this fields for many years and allowing this appeal will secure approximately 80pc of the site as publicly accessible open space, with the majority of that being owned and managed by the Land Trust.
“Up to 200 new homes, including 50pc affordable, will also be delivered by Kellen Homes, which will make a significant contribution to Stockport’s need for market and affordable housing.”