175-home scheme approved by planning panel

Green space on the edge of Mossley will have 175 new ‘executive’ homes built on it.

The new residential scheme, off Huddersfield Road, was approved by a majority vote at the latest planning panel meeting of Tameside. Meeting in Guardsman Tony Downes House in Droylsden, the panel were told how the site will include a play area; a road connecting houses to Huddersfield Road; and footpaths linking to the surrounding green space.

The ‘linear open space’ through the centre of the collection of three, four and five bed homes would feature benches, natural play logs and play boulders’, according to developer Wain Homes.

Plans to build on the site, between Hey Farm Estate and Mossley Hollins High School, have been controversial. Hundreds of objectors have aired concerns, with Cllr Jack Homer speaking on their behalf at the panel hearing on July 22.

The Mossley councillor said the current location of the park is too close to the Hey Farm Estate, some of the three-storey homes would overlook their neighbours and he shared worry about the potential flood risk.

Cllr Homer said: “Living in Mossley I see the water coming off the hills. The people of Hey Farm Estate will tell you it gets wet there.

“This is only going to make that situation worse. If this is going to be approved I would like to see changes to reduce the impact on the residents.”

Potential for floods and the impact on local traffic was the main concern of the panel itself. A number of panel members felt that Huddersfield Road was already a bad traffic hotspot – which this scheme could worsen.

Cllr Allan Hopwood added: “We are building all over the borough but we are not improving the infrastructure. It’s a really bad place for traffic and we are just adding to that.”

Gareth Salthouse, speaking on behalf of developer Wain Homes, explained that the scheme had not caused concern for the authorities that look after highways or flooding issues.

Mr Salthouse added that around £400,000 would also be provided by the developer for the council to spend on improving local infrastructure. He estimated 200 jobs would be created by the development during the construction phase as well.

He said: “Wain Homes have the expertise and track record to deliver the scheme quickly and at a high standard.”

In a previous stage of the planning process it was suggested that more high-end homes would help tackle the shortage of ‘executive’ properties in the area. Some 26 of the houses would be affordable (priced up to 80 per cent of market rate) – which is just under 15 pc of the total number of homes.

The lack of affordable homes sparked further annoyance for panel member Cllr Vincent Ricci, who said young people can’t afford to live in Mossley as the area has become too pricey.

The development was approved by a vote of five to four.