THE CONTROVERSIAL Godley Green Garden Village scheme has taken a step further after a planning application for a ‘spine road’ was submitted.
That would see agricultural buildings associated with Greenside Farm demolished.
Developers have submitted a ‘spine road’ planning application for Godley Green Garden Village.
Developers behind the project which will see up to 2,150 homes built on land around Mottram Old Road in Hyde have pushed for the main route through the Eastern Village segment.
They have also supplied images of what areas may look like when construction is completed.
This application relates to what is referred to as phases EV1, EV2 and EV3 – land between Mottram Old Road and the M67 motorway going towards its end, roughly one quarter of the total area.
It is bound by a disused railway line, which is now a public footpath, the Glossop railway line, Alder Community High School and its playing fields and Werneth Brook.
And it is conceded: “The site contains a number of buildings named as Greenside Farm (agricultural buildings), which extend to approximately 450 square metres, and Greenside Farm Barn, which extends to approximately 320 square metres.
“These buildings are to be demolished as part of the enabling works for this phase of the development.”
Outline permission was granted, now it is moving to the more detailed reserved matter stage.
And documents supporting the application state: “This reserved matters application allows the delivery of the key infrastructure required to enable future residential reserved matters applications to come forward on the site.
“The spine road will form the primary access road for the Eastern Village and as such, it has been designed to connect with one of the access points along Mottram Old Road.
“The spine road serves as the primary movement corridor through this part of the site but has been designed so that it functions as a define and attractive public space, rather than solely a vehicular route.”
Buildings associated with Greenside Farm face demolition if permission is granted.
Landscaping forms a big part of this latest application, with ‘a gateway landscaped arrival point that combines water, planting and open space to create a memorable setting’ proposed for the junction with Mottram Old Road.
The Trans Pennine Trail will be re-aligned through the public open space.
But the applicants say: “The route has been designed to accommodate a range of users, including pedestrians, cyclists and equestrian users.
“The route will not only provide an important recreational and transport in but will also contribute to the overall landscape character and nature-led vision.”
They also provided details of how their Hive play area and Hillside Fields will look, as well as other areas.
Godley Green Garden Village has attracted thousands of objections and protests from people incensed at the prospect of losing green belt land.
Homes will be built in 11 phases over 15 years, with the largest being 514 homes in the western village, while 363 properties would be affordable.
At its last planning hearing, it was compared to a ‘dog’s breakfast’ as approval was compared to ‘environmental barbarism.’
As outline planning permission was approved, how almost £29 million which will be used to fund improvements both around the contentious scheme and in the wider area was detailed.
And a health facility and primary school being provided on the site were guaranteed.
Images of how several arts will look, including the Hive play area, have been submitted.
Should Godley Green be built, millions of pounds will be invested into the area and Hyde under a section 106 agreement.
That includes £13 million on the primary school being built there, £3.6 million towards the cost of a new bridge to Hattersley railway station, £2.65 million for improvements to Green Lane and Brookfold Lane, £2 million for improvements to green spaces including Werneth Low, Great Wood and Vincent Park and £1.9 million, mostly split between Hyde United and Hyde Cricket and Squash Club, for new sporting facilities.
But Hyde Godley Cllr Andrea Colbourne, who echoed residents’ calls for an independent review of the application before approval can be given, said: “The current section 106 draft is not fit for purpose. It lacks clarity and detail. For a development of this scale, that is simply not acceptable.
“The panel is essentially being asked to approve an outline application based on trust, rather than detailed evidence.
“Once this land is gone, it’s gone forever.”
Longdendale’s Allan Hopwood added: “As a Tameside Councillor, I’m committed to fighting this and I call upon all of us to stop this madness before it’s too late.
“This was and is still farmland and the level of affordable housing is shockingly low.
“History will be your judge.”
Tameside Council’s Speaker’s Panel (Planning) committee, or officers, will decide whether to grant of refuse permission.
Related
Comments are closed.