Three controversial Mossley plans defeated

PEOPLE power has won out in Mossley after three controversial planning application were thrown out – and a fourth withdrawn.

Developers targeted sites at Woodend View, Stamford Road, Hanover Street and Stablefold, with a view to building a total of 19 houses.

But Tameside Council’s Speakers Panel (Planning) committee on Wednesday, November 16 refused three of them after substantial local opposition.

And an application to build nine homes on Stamford Road was withdrawn at the last minute.

News of the triple win left many residents who campaigned against the plans delighted, along with Councillor Tafheen Sharif, who spoke to the meeting.

She said: “We are so pleased!

“We are extremely pleased and relieved that the Speakers Panel have listened to us, officer recommendations, and all the people that have objected.

“We welcome these decisions. Developers cannot build on small bits of inappropriate land, without due concern or consequences to others.”

At Woodend View, Frank Williams wanted to build eight homes close to an unmade track, which would have been improved to an adoptable standard to provide access.

Two would have been five-bedroomed while the others would have been four, with two storeys at the front and three at the back.

However, Cllr Sharif insisted it was a very poor application with insufficient details for a determination.

She also argued the development would result in additional pressure on current open space in the area, would be an over development of the site and out of character with the surrounding area.

“This I find absurd,” she said. “The land itself is not fit to be built on.

“Mossley needs affordable houses but we want these in the right places and not necessarily on tiny bits of unstable land, which are likely to result in carnage for others in the vicinity.”

A total of 32 other objections were received and a Tameside Council report stated, ‘The adverse impacts of the proposed development on the land would outweigh any associated benefits.’

A huge 121 objections were lodged to plans to build two bungalows on land at Stablefold, which sits very close to green belt.

Trustees of the Stamford Estate wanted to, ‘fully utilise the site providing valuable accommodation of its type for the surrounding community.’

They also insisted: “The proposal will not affect the local character and will not affect highways.”

Mossley Councillor Jack Homer expressed concerns over issues with drainage from the proposed site for development, a disruption and loss of wildlife habitat and unacceptable loss of trees and the impact upon the surrounding area.

Cllr Sharif added it would represent further encroachment into a rural setting and may even result in more flooding to nearby Andrew Street.

She also believed allowing the scheme would set an undesirable precedent.

Andrew Rhodes and Anthony Marland of Mossley-based Premier Land and Homes Ltd applied to build six properties on the Hanover Street site, which would be called Hanover Gardens.

However, 90 people voiced their opposition to the proposal, which would have seen the former memorial garden and cemetery for pets transformed.

Documents supporting the application stated: “The development will contribute towards a balanced range of housing stock within Mossley.”

But a planning officer told the meeting: “Previous reports cannot be relied on. We cannot rely on old information”

“This is a very challenging site. We need much more reassurance”

That and the other two applications were dismissed, to the delight of opponents.