Harrow appeals lack of progress on 540-home Woodford extension
Stockport Council has not determined the application within the statutory timescales, prompting the developer to ask the Planning Inspectorate to intervene.
Harrow Estates lodged plans for a 540-home extension to Woodford Garden Village in December. The developer, part of Barratt Redrow, has already delivered 600 homes at the former aerodrome of the same name in an earlier phase.
Almost 10 months since submitting its outline application, Harrow has lodged an appeal on grounds of non-determination after the council failed to make a decision on the plans before the original 5 May deadline.
Harrow agreed to several extensions of time up until 15 August but the council claims unresolved issues with the proposals were preventing a decision being made.
An email from Stockport Council’s planning team uploaded to the planning portal outlines the authorities “ongoing commitment to progressing the application” and urged Harrow not to appeal.
It said: “We strongly believe that through continued constructive dialogue at this stage would be beneficial to all parties.”
The email also appears to confirm that the council considers the site to be grey belt, rather than Green Belt.
No date has been set for the appeal. Newmark is advising Harrow on the process.
The 86-acre project would feature 50% affordable provision and around 75 homes for older people.
Harrow is also planning to deliver a mixed-use community hub and events space next to the Avro Heritage Museum of Nicolson Avenue.
During the consultation process, residents voiced concerns about the number of primary school places in the local area. In response, Harrow has pledged to look into increasing the size of Woodford Primary School.
A spokesperson for Stockport Council said: “Following receipt of the notification of the submission of the appeal, the council will now follow the Planning Inspectorate’s timeframe, process and procedure with regards to the appeal.
“The application will now be reported to Bramhall & Cheadle Hulme South Area Committee on Thursday 23 October, and Planning and Highways Regulatory Committee on Thursday 6 November 2025 for members to resolve what their decision would have been should they have been in a position to determine the application.”
Harrow was contacted for comment.
Stockport Council is under pressure to deliver more homes was given a ticking off by housing minister Matthew Pennycook in September over the slow progress in updating its local plan.
The authority cannot currently prove a five-year housing land supply position, which means it is vulnerable when it heads to appeal.
Stockport has recently lost two high-profile appeals over schemes its planning committee refused.
To learn more about the scheme and the appeal, search for reference number DC/094533 on Stockport Council’s planning portal.
Two more plots in Woodford have been courted by both Russell LDP, which plans a 554-home scheme, and David Wilson Homes, which has launched a public consultation on its 450-home proposal.
