Godley Green scheme to go back before planning panel this week

The controversial Godley Green Garden Village housing development will go back before the council’s planning panel this week.

This comes two months after the gigantic scheme was rejected by the same panel. 

The 2,150-home proposal for Hyde’s countryside was refused in January following confusion over what councillors were actually voting on. 

The proposal would see Godley Green Garden Village split into two halves by Godley Brook, each with its own centre, including up to 1,300 sqm of retail space, 1,600 sqm of commercial and 1,000 sqm for community use. In addition to 2,150 homes, green spaces, play areas and ‘biodiversity enhancements’ were also proposed.

Despite getting outline approval in November 2023, changes to the scheme meant it was put back before the council’s planning panel in January. The changes were related to financial contributions from the developer MADE Partnership, a joint venture between Barratt Redrow PLC, Homes England and Lloyds Banking Group.

MADE, who are working in conjunction with Tameside council, offered almost £29m of improvements to the area of Godley.

These contributions, known as Section 106 (S106) cash, were intended for road infrastructure improvements; a new primary school; healthcare facilities; and a bridge going east and west – connecting the villages to Hattersley. However, options for a cash contribution instead of the bridge or the healthcare facility stirred up confusion amongst the planning panel in January – leading them to refuse the scheme.

This decision sparked a complaint from MADE, who claimed that proper procedure had not been followed in the meeting. Following receipt of that complaint, the local authority sought legal advice from Kings Counsel on the matters raised in the complaint letter.

Based on that advice, the council has decided the application needs to be re-considered. The developers have since removed the option for a financial contribution instead of a bridge or health facility in a bid to make the application clearer for the panel.

The scheme has been recommended for approval by council planning officers. The panel will make a decision on the matter at their meeting on Wednesday, March 18 in Guardsman Tony Downes House.