Housing plan could stagnate area, councillor says

Building too many houses on green-belt land risks "destroying" local communities, a councillor has claimed.

Developers Salboy and Peel said there was huge demand for new homes and have submitted plans in Worsley, Greater Manchester.

Peel wants to build 295 houses on land east of Boothstown, next to RHS Garden Bridgewater, while Salboy hopes to construct 26 "top end of market" homes on Booths Bank Farm.

Councillor Robin Garrido, who leads the Conservative group on Labour-run Salford City Council, said the area already had "immense problems" with congestion and added: "The infrastructure can't take it."

Some green-belt land has been released under Greater Manchester's housing plan, Places for Everyone (PfE).

More than 1,600 locals have objected to Peel's plans, and more than 20 to Salboy's application.

Garrido said the area simply could not cope with more housing.

"This is now totally destroying the community in Boothstown and Worsley, from a quality of life point of view, and people being able to drive in and out of the area," he said.

"Buses get stuck in traffic, they can't keep to the timetable, so we've lost the bus service.

"The area is going to stagnate and people will start moving out."

Salboy told the Local Democracy Reporting Service its proposal "aligns with the PfE framework by helping to meet housing demand and attract highly skilled workers to the region".

It said it had engaged with local people as part of the process and remained committed to "ongoing dialogue" with residents.

Peel withdrew a previous planning application - for 350 homes in the area - after feedback from the community and council.

It said the site had been "considered appropriate for the delivery of much-needed family and affordable homes" and would "create a vibrant, sustainable community".

Current traffic issues could be due to Cadent Gas roadworks in the area, it added.

The application, which had been expected to be decided by November 2024, has yet to appear before the planning committee.

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