Godley Green development set to go before planning panel again

A controversial housing scheme that would change the face of Hyde’s green space forever is due to be scrutinised again.

The fate of the 2,150-homes Godley Green plan is due to be decided next week by Tameside council’s planning panel.

The proposal would see a new ‘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’ are included in the proposals.

Outline permission was granted by the planning panel back in November 2024. 

Since approval was given, the land the houses would be built on has been taken out of ‘green belt’ status, which provides areas with more protections from development under planning law. Other changes and financial agreements means the application has to go before the planning panel again for approval.

The site to the south of Hyde is no longer classed as green belt land following the adoption of the Places for Everyone (PfE) plan, approved by nine Greater Manchester.

If the latest planning application is approved, building work is expected to start soon. The new homes would be built on the land off Mottram Old Road in stages over the next 15 years.

The council said site investigation work was undertaken last year as part of the ongoing enhancement of plans for the development – one of the largest in Greater Manchester.

The Godley Green scheme has been a controversial topic for years, with residents fearing the loss of green space would ruin the area. A GoFundMe page was set up last year by campaigners to challenge the development with a judicial review.

According to the joint developers, the plans will protect surrounding areas from overdevelopment and aim to boost Hyde town centre. It would also create at least five hundred jobs annually over its 15-year span, offering training and apprenticeship opportunities for local residents.

The council says Godley Green will provide much-needed, quality homes for Tameside and promote sustainability, accessibility, and community wellbeing – a transformational vision for future living.

The proposal has vowed to make over 43 per cent of the site dedicated to green spaces, play areas, and biodiversity enhancements. A promise has also been made on mixed-tenure homes, including affordable housing, catering to everyone from first-time buyers to older residents.

The local authority’s planning panel, made up of councillors, is due to consider the matter at their meeting on Wednesday, January 14 at Guardsman Tony Downes House in Droylsden.

Campaigners against the Godley Green garden village outside Guardsman Tony Downes House in Droylsden. Credit: LDRS