A CONTROVERSIAL plan to build houses on land near arguably Mossley’s busiest junction has been approved – despite 47 objections, a fatal collision down the road and a plea for ‘common sense.’
And opponents believe erecting seven properties on Stamford Road will cause two years of chaos.
Samuel Wilcox, of Uppermill-based Wickens Estates, finally secured planning permission for its scheme at a meeting of Tameside Council’s Speaker’s Panel (Planning) committee on Wednesday, December 11.
But the decision still rankles with those against it, including Tameside Councillor Jack Homer, chair of Mossley Town Council Frank Travis and residents.
After a decision was deferred in November, the September 18 collision between a minibus and a car after which Jean Glue, 72, died days later was considered.
However, highways chiefs (LHA) believe the location on Stamford Road was far enough away from both the site and the access point at Birberry Court, where materials will be delivered before being taken to the site, to affect a decision.
A report also stated: “Accident data over a five-year period ending December 31, 2023 indicated two slight injury incidents in close proximity to the site.
“Both occurred at the signalised junction immediately west of the site. One related to a pedestrian hit by a vehicle travelling south-westbound, with the lights on green for general traffic, and one related to a south-westbound vehicle running a red light at the junction.
“A recent fatal incident occurred on September 18, 2024. This does not yet appear in the available accident data for the Greater Manchester area, due to its fact that there is a lead in time in the data being formally published for review.
“It is understood the incident occurred outside 46, Stamford Road. This address, measured along Stamford Road, is sited approximately 245 metres south-east from the development site and approximately 140 metres south-east from the junction of Birberry Court, where deliveries are to take place.
“Having reviewed the available accident data, and including the more recent fatal incident, the LHA considers that no trends or specific engineering issues have been identified in relation to the existing junctions, or the road layout on Stamford Road.
“It is concluded that the local highway network in the vicinity of the site does not have an unduly poor safety record.”
Despite that, Cllr Homer told of the ‘risk’ he believes the development will cause.
He told the meeting: “What isn’t 245 metres away from the collision site is Birberry Court, where the developers are planning on offloading their equipment and is on a sharp bend we highlighted as a risk.
“When the entrance to Birberry Court comes into view, you are less than 50 metres away from.
“To me, you can’t look at that site and say, ‘There is not going to be an increased risk to the safety of the residents who live on Stamford Road.’
“Is this actually safe for residents? Is this an increased risk to the people living there and driving on the road? I’d say there fairly obviously is.
“For the sake of seven houses, do the benefits really outweigh the increased risk? Can member of the panel honestly look residents in the eye and say this isn’t going to be a risk to themselves or their children walking to school?”
Parish Councillor Travis added: “The consistent angle here is about making a common sense judgment.
“What we’ve got here is an excavation programme of about 2,000 cubic metres of soil, that’s about 2,000 tonnes to come out of this site – that’s chaos to start with.”
Other reasons for objecting included causing long term disruption to the local economy and residents, a belief Mossley does not have sufficient infrastructure for further developments and the pressure it would put on local services such as doctors, dentists and schools.
It was also claimed excavation would cause a risk of landslides and elevated flooding or subsidence issues to neighbouring properties.
After reducing the number of homes from nine, then wight, to seven, a parking area will now be included alongside the row.
And an agreed construction environmental management plan, which includes materials being taken to Birberry Court and larger deliveries only being made on Saturday mornings, meant no objections from statutory consultees.
Council officers pointed out there are ways of enforcing rules if it causes large-scale disruption, but issues are ‘manageable.’
The panel narrowly approved the application, with Cllrs Jacqueline Owen, Susan Quinn and Jackie Lane voting against, while Cllr Doreen Dickinson pointed out: “I can’t find any planning reason to refuse.”