Godley Green scheme to go back before planning panel

The controversial Godley Green Garden Village housing development will go back before the council’s planning panel after being rejected earlier this year.

The 2,150-home scheme proposed for Hyde’s countryside was refused 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 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 between the two proposed villages. However, there were options for a cash contribution instead of the bridge or the healthcare facility.

The ‘ambiguity of the plans makes it impossible to know what we are voting on’, said Cllr Adrian Pearce at the time. This was a common feeling amongst the panel members, who met at Guardsman Tony Downes House in Droylsden back in January.

After discussion over the S106 contribution and added pressure from objecting campaigners watching on from the public gallery, the panel voted to refuse the application. This decision sparked a complaint from MADE, who claimed that proper procedure had not been followed in the meeting.

The letter to the head of planning, Daniel Wheelwright, from joint applicants Tameside council and MADE Partnership read: “Given the procedural failings identified above, we consider that the decision to resolve to refuse the planning application was flawed and legally unsound due to the failure to comply with TMBC’s ‘Planning Code for Members’ and TMBC’s ‘Article of the Constitution’.”

The letter also criticised planning officers in attendance, who did not clarify the reasons for refusal or offer another option of deferral to look into the S106 confusion. The latest town hall meeting heard housing boss Cllr Andrew McLaren confirm ‘procedural failings’ at the planning 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 Godley Green scheme is expected to go back before the planning panel on March 18th 2026.