By Declan Carey

A proposal to build more than 170 new homes in a 'woodland' neighbourhood on green belt land has been submitted to Stockport Council.

The planning application from Stewart Milne Homes proposes to build 172 houses in the Offerton area of Stockport next to a woodland and park area spanning 23 hectares. The mix of houses and apartments are based on and around land at Offerton Sand and Gravel Ltd.

A total of 86 homes are to be designated as affordable housing with a mix of one and two-bedroom apartments, as well as one, two, and three-bedroom houses. In total, the new community could house 646 people at full capacity.

The plans include seven hectares of land which is 'publicly accessible woodland and grassland areas, including more formal managed areas of open space' within the site.

If permission for the plan is granted, the neighbourhood would be around 2.4 miles away from Stockport town centre, around a nine-minute journey by car or 25 minutes on the bus.

Access to the new community would be via the A626 Marple Road with plans to make improvements to the road area to include a pedestrian crossing and traffic signals.

Offerton quarry is based on the site which is currently used for the import, storage and processing of materials for resale, as well as skip storage and hire.

A report by Hourigan Planning submitted with the application states that Stockport council considers the land green belt, although it is not 'subject to any specific designation' that could impact development.

Building on green belt land is a controversial issue in Stockport, with the Lib Dem-run council awaiting government clarity on whether to include green belt land as part of its housing strategy. The Stockport Mayoral Development Corporation has committed to building 4,000 new homes in brownfield locations as part of regeneration plans in the town centre.

Stockport is the only Greater Manchester borough not part of the Places for Everyone masterplan, the region's long-term development scheme for new homes, jobs, and growth.

Residents in the area are also concerned with the impact of construction on the landscape. An environmental statement submitted by the developer alongside the application states that while the potential visual effects will vary, a ' moderate to major adverse' impact is to be expected for those living close to the site.

The proposals will be considered by Stockport council and need to be approved before construction can begin.

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