One of the most contentious housing plans in Tameside’s history has been given the green light once again.

The Godley Green Garden Village plan, which could see up to 2,150 homes built on the Hyde countryside over a 15 year period, was granted outline planning approval in November 2023. The proposal would see a new ‘village’ split by Godley Brook into two halves, 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.

Despite approval being given, planning officers deemed it necessary to bring it back to the panel in order to provide an update on its progress – rather than to take another decision on development itself.

There are patches of land that need to be bought and legal agreements that need to be made, which are expected to be resolved by Spring 2025, a planning panel meeting in Guardsman Tony Downes House was told.

Following the adoption of the Places for Everyone plan across Greater Manchester, except Stockport, the site off Mottram Old Road is no longer allocated green belt land. These matters, and that of section 106 contributions were matters that were brought to the planning panel on October 16.

Godley Green was first included in the draft Greater Manchester Spatial Framework (GMSF) masterplan in 2016. The GMSF – since renamed Places for Everyone – is a Greater Manchester-wide plan to build thousands of houses across the region up to 2050.

In November last year, objectors held up banners and placards opposing the scheme. The application, tabled by the town hall itself, has more than 4,000 objections from residents who fear the potential loss of green land will ‘ruin’ the area.

Claire Elliot, who has started a GoFundMe page to challenge the development with a Judicial Review in High Court, aired her concerns over the plan alongside Coun Andrea Colbourne.

Objectors’ main argument against the proposals is that it could transform the current landscape from a rural to an urban setting. Ms Elliot expressed concerns that the current issues over the council leadership make her question their ability to carry out ‘a project of this magnitude’.

She added that certain homeowners who don’t want to sell have had no communication with the council other than to ask if they’re interested in selling up yet. The agents, speaking on behalf of the town hall, explained that work is ongoing to speak with the current landowners and homeowners to keep them informed as to the progress of the site.

The agent said: “The Godley Green Garden Village will be transformational for this part of Tameside. We believe this plan will help deliver a new site for the borough.”

Planning officers explained that the garden village would deliver ‘significant social, health and economic benefits’, deliver a ‘substantial number of new homes’ and bring in millions of income for the council. Additionally, Alder Community High School would be expanded under the proposals, and a bridge created for pedestrian and wheeling access across the railway line to connect to Hattersley station. 

A ‘subsidised bus service’ would also be provided during the early stage of the development to help support people to travel without using cars, the council promises.

Before any building work can start, the council will still need further planning permission. It is expected that different phases of development will be brought to planning officers separately as the project goes on, the meeting heard.

All the councillors, except Coun Doreen Dickinson, gave approval to the update given by planning officers.