Peel Holdings, as Peel Investments (North) Limited, has applied for planning permission to build 165 'aspirational family homes' on current agricultural land and within the Worsley Greenway that both Salford City Council and the Greater Manchester Combined Authority are proposing to re-designate as Green Belt.
Current Salford Council policy states that the site makes a 'strong contribution in preserving the setting and special character of historic towns' and makes a 'strong contribution to restricting urban sprawl'.
Peel acknowledges in its application that its plans "would conflict with one aspect of the Draft GMSF [Greater Manchester Spatial Framework] and Draft Salford Local Plan, both of which propose that the site be designated as Green Belt".
Peel also recognises that the plans would "conflict" with proposals to allocate the site as Local Green Space. But it uses the Northern Powerhouse concept to challenge both Salford Council and the Greater Manchester Combined Authority...
"A new growth agenda, as articulated through the Northern Powerhouse ambition, is
emerging in Salford and Greater Manchester" states Peel "The city must respond by facilitating the delivery of development which will realise this ambition.
"This covers all development sectors and has some important spatial dimensions" it adds "This includes the delivery of family housing of the highest quality in sustainable locations and where people want to live...In this regard, the scheme will support the realisation of the City's and Greater Manchester's growth aspirations, providing housing to attract and retain high earning households..."
Peel is also using the carrot of "up to 50 units of affordable housing" as part of the development, although it doesn't state what form the 'affordable housing' will take. The term 'affordable housing' is misleading as properties that come under the definition have been shown to be completely unaffordable for local people.
There has been no date set yet for Peel's application to go before Salford Council's planning panel but there is sure to be major opposition, certainly from residents.
Peel carried out its own ten day consultation, notifying 65 homes of its plans. Objections were received from residents, local councillors and the Worsley Civic Trust, with the majority of issues raised surrounding developing on current green field land, potential road congestion, pollution and the strain on local services.
Residents are also gearing up for another major battle with Peel over the wider Broadoak area, when a new Public Inquiry is set to take place between 3rd and 27th October after the company won a High Court ruling to challenge a refusal of permission to build six hundred houses on green field land.*
Residents Against Inappropriate Development, or RAID, has called a public meeting on 24th May, at 7pm, in St Marks Church, Worsley Brow "to demonstrate before the new Public Inquiry commences in October, that the majority of residents are still firmly against this development..."
Meanwhile this latest Broadoak South battle in the war against Peel by residents looks set to happen before the Inquiry.
Four of the candidates standing for Greater Manchester Mayor will set out their stance on the Green Belt and other environment issues at hustings this Friday 28th April. The debate will also be a chance for the community to ask questions about attitudes towards the Green Belt and the Greater Manchester Spatial Framework – see Salford Star article for further details – click here
* For background see previous Salford Star article on Broadoak - click here
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