THE new Godley Green development in Hyde has been hailed by Homes England and the Greater Manchester Combined Authority as having the potential to satisfy as much as a quarter of Tameside’s housing demand.
It is not only one of the largest and most ambitious regeneration programmes in the North West – involving the construction of more than 2,350 quality homes of all types that will play a pivotal role in rebalancing the borough’s housing market – it is also a carbon-neutral development with nature at its heart.
Residents will have access to more green space than is currently the case, as land that is now private is included, and the plans prioritise transport investment so that walking, cycling and public transport become a better choice than driving.
The scheme’s design includes a pedestrian and cycle bridge over the railway near Hattersley Station to create a strong connection with the existing community and to improve links for pupils from Alder Community High School in Hyde.
When car journeys are necessary, the M67 will be on the doorstep. A planning application for the long-awaited A57 Link Roads (Mottram Bypass) is expected early in 2021.
Ideal for the modern economy, and connected to Tameside’s black fibre broadband network to make working from home easier, Godley Green’s homes should also generate prosperity in Hyde and Hattersley by helping to create not only more jobs but better-paid jobs.
Additionally, the development is to be Tameside-led, not developer-led. The council wants the public to be involved at every stage through regular consultations and engagement events.
Cllr Ged Cooney, Tameside Council’s executive member for housing, planning and employment and Godley Green project lead, said: “The scale of this development is the equivalent of a new district but far from being another example of urban sprawl it’ll be a nationally-recognised vibrant, sustainable and beautiful new community based on garden village principles.
“Godley Green will have a unique and distinctive sense of place by integrating new physical, social, green and waterways infrastructure into a superb natural landscape with excellent links to the city region for jobs and growth, and the Pennines and national park for leisure.”
Cllr Oliver Ryan, Tameside Council’s executive member for finance and economic growth, added: “Godley Green truly represents the start of a new way of designing and building housing developments. It points the way to a time when environmentally-friendly schemes become the norm and we start to look beyond the old way of doing things toward a greener and cleaner world.”
Do you know the place is haunted?