TOWN councillors have reaffirmed their opposition to a proposed development in Mossley which they claim would cause “absolute chaos” on Stamford Road in the event of construction work taking place.
A resubmission of a previously refused application has been made to Tameside Council by Wickens Estates Ltd to build two four-bedroom town houses, two two-bedroom town houses and 12 apartments on land on Stamford Road.
Councillor Stephen Homer described it as “the wrong development for that site”.
He said: “The developer has got to face facts that some sights are not suitable.
“We should be opposing it because it will cause chaos and cut the town in half.”
Cllr Homer pointed there would be major traffic disruption on the only route between Top and Bottom Mossley with wagons having to park on the highway while excavation work took place and even tradespeople like joiners doing likewise while they made deliveries.
He said: “You only have to go back to when the retaining wall was rebuilt on Stamford Road – it was the longest one or two years in history.
“And when the electricity cable needed replacing, that caused absolute chaos. And to willingly allow it to go ahead would be foolish.”
Town councillors were also concerned about the lack of parking for so many homes in the town centre.
Cllr Tafheen Sharif, who represents Mossley on Tameside Council, objected to the proposal in December on behalf of residents when it was refused at speakers’ panel (planning).
She said the only material change in the new application related to car parking provision.
“The application was refused on the grounds of overdevelopment, highway safety and being out of character, and all three grounds are still applicable,” explained Cllr Sharif.