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Planning application revealed for controversial Godley Green 'garden village'

Wednesday, 1 December 2021 18:51

By Charlotte Green, Local Democracy Reporter @CharGreenLDR

The planning application for a controversial huge 'garden village' with more than 2,100 homes in the Hyde green belt has been finally been revealed.

The Godley Green garden village scheme, first mooted under the original Greater Manchester Spatial Framework proposals, is progressing despite the region’s current masterplan ‘places for everyone’ yet to be approved by the Secretary of State.

The decision to push forward with the application has been made amidst an ‘ongoing housing crisis’, according to the reports.

Tameside Council has applied to build up to 2,150 homes in the countryside to the north of Mottram Old Road, as well as ‘local centres’ which would include up to 1,300 sqm of retail, 1,600 sqm of commercial uses and 1,000 sqm of local community uses.

Chiefs say the project is being developed under the principles of garden cities championed by Ebenezer Howard more than a century ago.

“Godley Green will be an exemplar 21st century garden village, capturing the best of local town and country whilst seamlessly integrating into its rural landscape,” the design report states.

However a petition against the garden village plans has been so far signed by more than 4,200 people.

Under the plans there will be a new one-form primary school, sports facilities on land to the south of Mottram Old Road, and a bridge to Hattersley station that will provide a ‘direct link’ to the rail network.

The properties will be split across two villages divided by Godley Brook, with 1,250 dwellings in the west and 900 homes in the east of the site.

The layout would see the densest housing areas based around the two local centres with ‘mixed-use blocks with active frontages along high streets’, while more ‘sensitive’ areas around the edges would have fewer, lower rise homes.

According to the planning application, construction would take place over a 15 year period, with 102 homes intended to be delivered within 2022/23.

Road access is proposed to be created from four new entrance points from Mottram Old Road, which would to be reduced to 30 mph to accommodate the new traffic and turnings.

Within the garden village site, the speed limit is proposed to be set at 20mph to ‘improve residents’ safety’.

There would be no vehicular connection between the eastern and western villages due to the topography of the site, however bosses say there would be both pedestrian and cycle connections.

More than 5km of new ‘off road’ pathways are proposed across the whole site for walkers, horse riders and cyclists.

And more than half of the land proposed for development would be made up of green infrastructure, according to the planning documents.

“Flowing through and around the proposed new homes is a comprehensive network of public open spaces, laid out to form parks, gardens, natural spaces and growing areas,” a design report states. 

“These will be accessible to both existing and new residents within the area. This will form a rich tapestry of green spaces, that are within easy reach of new homes and larger spaces will form green ‘hearts’ to the development.”

Several buildings already within the land are required to be demolished to allow the garden village to go ahead, including Godley Stud Farm, Far Meadow Farm and the agricultural buildings at both Brookfold Farm and Greenside Farm.

The planning documents submitted on behalf of Tameside council say the proposals represent a ‘once in a generation’ opportunity for the countyside site.

They add: “Godley Green presents a unique opportunity to the people of Tameside, the chance to create a truly sustainable, 21st century garden village in the foothills of the Peak District.

“The vision for Godley Green goes beyond ‘just another housing site’ through a considered and viable approach, the council intends to create a garden village with a unique sense of place – by Tameside, for Tameside.”

If approved the huge development would generate £9m in income for the council, chiefs say.

Homes England has supported the project with a £10m grant, which would have a minimum of 15 per cent affordable housing provision.

However even if the plans are approved by the council’s planning committee, they will then go to the Secretary of State who will make the final decision on whether to allow it to go ahead.

Images are indicative proposals for Godley Green 'garden village'. Credit: Tameside Council. 

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