Campaigners have reacted with delight after plans to build 200 houses on a ‘much loved’ green space were thrown out by councillors. Proposals submitted by MAN Energy Solutions would have seen the properties built at Mirrlees Fields, behind its Stockport HQ, in Hazel Grove.
While the scheme involved sacrificing around 20pc of the 67-acre area for housing, the rest was to be transferred to the Land Trust to manage in perpetuity. But objectors insisted the proposed site - known as ‘The Big Field’ - was ‘vital’ to the communities of Hazel Grove, Woodsmoor and Stepping Hill as well as providing an important haven for wildlife.
With the council unable to demonstrate it has enough land for the housing it needs over the next five years, members of the planning committee found themselves on the horns of a dilemma when they met on Thursday night. Arguments were made both for and against the scheme but the panel ultimately refused the application by seven votes to five.
MAN says it is 'disappointed' by the decision as the scheme would have 'delivered significant public benefits'. The row over the land recently escalated with MAN ramping up security and confirming it will be putting up fencing to keep people off all areas bar public rights of way.
Campaign group Protect Mirrlees Fields expects the manufacturing giant to appeal - but are celebrating the decision for now. Elaine Leonard, of PMF, said: “We are absolutely delighted that the councillors saw the sense in protecting the field and want to thank them for all their hard work and consideration.
“The fight goes on and this is just the beginning of trying to get the fields owned by the community. She added: “That’s what it has all been about - the community having the fields and protecting wildlife, nature and all the services like the NHS, schools and the roads.
"At Stepping Hill we just don’t need any more pressure on those services.”
Coun Roy Driver spoke in favour of the application, arguing the plans secured the future of 80pc of the land as green space and there was nothing to stop MAN selling off the whole area for housing.He also said it was both national and local policy to build more homes.
“We do have a very poor record of having planning applications approved for new housing,” he told the committee. “It’s too easy for people in these areas to say ‘simply build it somewhere else’. Well, it has to be built somewhere and this is a parcel of land that could be used.
“If it was granted there could it would mean there would be no further development on the site.”
Coun Brian Bagnall took a different view, arguing that the proposals were in conflict with both local and national planning policies.
“I accept there is a need for a balanced approach,” he told the meeting.“But for me the application is a significantly harmful development due to the loss of open space and the mitigation put forward does not demonstrably outweigh the benefits it delivers and in that respect. I would recommend refusal.”
Some consideration was given to deferring the decision - to allow for further talks between MAN and Mirrlees Fields Friends Group. However chair Coun Steve Gribbon reminded members deferral could only be on the basis of gathering more information, not further consultation.
The friends group, which has worked with MAN to develop the proposals, fears that the decision means the fields could be sold off and land-banked and fenced off to the public. David Kemp, of the friends group, said: "The very hard work now must begin to continue to engage with MAN to reduce the impact on the local community and our members from this decision.
"We, as a community, have not yet won anything. The risk of losing everything remains."
Louise Durose, General Counsel for MAN Energy Solutions said: "We are disappointed by the decision.
"The application was recommended for approval by Stockport council and if approved would have delivered significant public benefits, including guaranteeing that over 80pc of what is currently private land would become publicly accessible open space that could have been used by the community forever.”
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