All systems go for 2,150-home Godley Green
Tameside Council has received word from Whitehall that Michael Gove will not be calling in the controversial proposal for more scrutiny, meaning the scheme can go ahead.
The authority gave internal sign-off for the 2,150-home Godley Green Garden Village earlier this month in the face of more than 4,000 letters of objection. The council decided the benefits of the development would outweigh the impact of building on the Green Belt.
Following the approval, Tameside had to wait for final sign-off from the secretary of state.
Cllr Gerald Cooney, executive leader of Tameside Council said Gove’s decision to wave the scheme through was “welcome news” and demonstrated the council’s “sound decision-making process”.
“Plans for Godley Green will move ahead to provide much-needed homes for generations to come,” he said.
“This is a pioneering development right here in Tameside that has wide-ranging benefits for the whole borough. We are excited to be creating a garden community and will continue to have people at the very heart of the development.”
Cooney added that the council is now seeking a developer partner to deliver the scheme.
The outline application, which also proposes the delivery of shops, offices, a medical centre, and 150 acres of open space, will now be referred to the secretary of state for final approval.
Godley Green Garden Village has been in the works for several years and has proved controversial in some quarters due to its location in the Green Belt.
The 315-acre swathe of land between Godley, Hyde, Hattersley, and Gee Cross is one of several Green Belt sites earmarked for development in the Places for Everyone spatial framework.
