All clear for contentious 200-home Stockport scheme
Kellen Homes and Great Places Housing Group have been given the go-ahead to crack on with the redevelopment of Mirrlees Fields almost two years on from the project’s approval by the Planning Inspectorate.
The developers are proposing 200 homes on the 54-acre Hazel Grove plot where all the properties would be available on affordable tenures.
Outline consent for the development, which has proved controversial in some quarters, was granted in January 2024 following an appeal.
Kellen acquired the site that year and teamed up with Great Places to flesh out the plans. Now, Stockport Council has approved the reserved matters application, meaning work can begin.
The development will provide a mix of one-bedroom apartments and houses from two to four bedrooms for social rent and shared ownership.
The scheme also features a 40-acre country park, to be managed by the Land Trust.
5plus Architects is leading on design and Asteer Planning is advising on planning matters.
To learn more, search for reference number DC/094517 on Stockport Council’s planning portal.
Ian Kelley, chief executive of Kellen Homes, said: “This planning consent marks a vital milestone in this superb new development. We are delighted to once again be partnering with Great Places to deliver this important injection of new affordable homes for the people of Stockport in this highly desirable location.
“We are immensely proud that this development also includes the improvement and preservation of a significant area of open space that will, because of this scheme, be available to the local community in perpetuity.”
Nick Gornall, director of development at Great Places, said: “We’re delighted to be working alongside Kellen Homes on this exciting development, which will deliver much-needed affordable homes in Stockport. This partnership reflects our shared commitment to creating high-quality, sustainable communities where people can thrive.
By combining new homes with extensive public open space, we’re not only addressing housing need but also enhancing the local environment for generations to come.”
Controversial in some quarters? It’s a disgrace that this is being allowed to happen. The ecological impact alone is criminal. For those that are unaware of this development I would urge you to visit Mirrlees then carefully consider what is now ‘allowable’ in the areas in which you live.
By Anonymous
What makes this area desirable is its access to green spaces, access that is being lost with this development. I would like to see far more detailed plans explaining how the remaining open spaces will be “enhanced and preserved,” especially given how much is being taken away. I am doubtful that this development will allocate the substantial investment required to (1) make the area truly accessible and (2) create an acceptable exchange for what is being lost.
I understand the need for affordable housing; however, delivering it at the expense of the existing residents’ quality of life is unacceptable. Open spaces are fundamentally tied to wellbeing, offering physical, mental, environmental and social benefits – considerations that are too often ignored when developments like this are approved.
The developers’ comments feel out of touch. They are not enhancing the local environment; they are slowly but steadily degrading it. And if the woodland had not been protected, it is clear they would have developed that as well.
By Anonymous
Too many social housing properties in one place is a recipe for disaster, we need them spread across a number of developments rather than concentrated in one place, it seems we’ve learned nothing from past mistakes.
By Paul
Massive housing shortage in Stockport so this development should be welcomed.
By Anonymous
Many years ago the land in question was a superb golf course owned and managed by Mirlees Blackstone the largest employer in Hazel Grove. As the cost became onerous application were made to build houses which went to the then Secretary of State and all were refused. From that day the land has lay sadly unloved and unused besides walkers. How decisions made years ago can be reversed by different people should be made public and why the traffic will be 10 times worse than it was then so who has changed things and why ??
By Rob Davies
Am sure you’re writing this sitting in your comfortable home. Come and take a look at how many people are sleeping rough in local parks, under bridges and shop doorways, and tell them they don’t deserve a home. It’s just a pity that these people will have to live near people like you
By Anonymous
Is it right that the council owned part of this land that they bought a few years ago , Shared ownership who will administer that Stockport homes interesting
By Diana Mutch
Any plans to expand the hospital to support the needs of all these additional porple in the area?
By Joanne Morris
@rob davies “sadly unloved and unused besides walkers” yes because clearly only golfers should count when it comes to the rightful users of green spaces. Golf courses are a terrible waste of huge areas of potential recreational space and no doubt the biodiversity value has vastly improved since the relentless mowing, fertilising and leaf blowing has stopped.
By Birdie
What about access and traffic, also Mirrlès fishing pond
By ASM
It was previously privately owned land which has now been gifted in perpetuity (with funding) by MAN to the community. Unfortunately for those that were using the land as an extension to their back gardens to walk their dogs and trespassing, damaging fencing they hate the fact the land is now accessible to everyone to enjoy. The local friends group and MAN should be commended for standing firm against all the vitriol they were subjected to from a selfish minority to deliver a lasting legacy for the people of Stockport. This project was years in the making and it’s a triumph over selfish self entitled nimbyism.
By Anonymous
Where will the additional traffic join the ‘commuter route? Bramhall Moor Lane traffic trying to join the A6 is already congested at peak times. It is snail pace at best. A road which services Stepping Hill Hospital.
The pavements alongside the stretch from the existing feeder road to the recent new homes and the small business area are narrow in places non existent or single file making it necessary for pedestrians to occasionally have to pass by stepping onto the road particularly when parents have a pram. How is the infrastructure going to be improved BEFORE more traffic is thrown into the already messy mix? In the opposite direction to head towards the bypass traffic would feed onto Bridge Lane/Jacksons Lane returning congestion to pre bypass days. This a road passing the High School. This is another area soon to be developed and therefore inundated with more traffic. Everything except buses for the younger members of our communities.
People do need houses and my objection is not to the building or the siting of the new estates but to the lack of forward planning re the consequences of the planned development.
First improve the structure and network of the road infrastructure to ensure safety and easy accessibility for both the current and new residents.
If you overfill a box the entire thing will break,
Have you convinced yourselves that all the new residents are public transport users?
By Chrissie
Why is the development taking so long ,approval given nearly the two years ago.It is to be assumed that objections are being raised by people who have already got homes!
By Anonymous
The shared ownership properties will be administered by Great Places, they are an experienced affordable housing provider.
By Anonymous
How will the hospital cope with more residents when the demand on services is already at breaking point?
By Joanne Morris