Gatley residents say they are 'heartbroken' a golf club which has been part of the community for more than 100 years will be turned into new homes.

A planning application from Hollins Strategic Land (HSL) to build 278 homes on Gatley Golf Club was submitted in 2021. Since then locals have campaigned to save the club from being lost forever.

The club, founded in 1912, is currently closed but more than 1,600 people signed a petition to save the land from development.

Last February, Lib Dem-run Stockport council rejected the planning application over concerns that it would lead to the loss of green open space in the area.

The developer appealed the decision and yesterday (January 7) the planning inspector granted permission for the homes to be built.

The Planning Inspector found the scheme would have 'several benefits' and that Stockport council 'continues to miss' its housebuilding targets to demonstrate a five-year supply of homes.

The decision is the second planning appeal lost by Stockport council in as many years, after its decision to reject an application to build 200 homes on Mirrlees Fields in Hazel Grove was overturned last January.

A plan for the new development (Image - Hollins Strategic Land)

Sharon Lindsay, a Gatley resident, said locals are devastated at the thought of losing the golf club and green space.

"It's just heartbreaking to see that it will be built on, the community is feeling very hurt by what has happened," she told the Local Democracy Reporting Service.

"Although it's a private club they feel it has many links to the community that go back to the early days of the club, with generations of family connections. We have a lot of affection and love for the club.

"This is a blueprint for how to sell a sports club and deprive the community of a recreational facility, people need to be aware of that."

Paul O'Shea, director at HSL, said he was delighted, adding: "The positive decision now presents a real opportunity to create a thriving, balanced neighbourhood incorporating a range of community facilities for local people."

Half the homes in the scheme are set to be designated as 'affordable' housing, and the developer has also promised to put money towards new local sports facilities and green spaces.

The plans also include keeping the clubhouse and turning it into a community hub, and creating '26 acres of publicly accessible open space'.

Whilst there is disappointment for some in Gately, the homes will help to tackle the huge housing shortages in Stockport.

The homes aim to tackle a housing shortage in Stockport (Image - Nub News)

The council found itself under fire this week after a government report revealed the borough built half the homes it needed between 2020 and 2023 – with one of the worst rates of housebuilding in the country.

The government has applied pressure to councils such as Stockport by bringing in new housing targets.

Cheadle MP Tom Morrison said the Gately Gold Club decision was 'deeply disappointing'.

He added: "Gatley Golf Course is more than just open land – it holds significant value as a part of our local identity and a cherished community asset.

Stockport council deputy leader Mark Roberts added: "The Labour government has tied councils hands behind their backs with their developers' charter to concrete over our green spaces and this is another very sad example of it.

"I fear this is the start of many such applications where local people and their local council are ignored by national government to serve Labour's agenda."

Stockport Labour leader, Cllr David Meller said: "This appeal decision comes as no surprise and serves as yet another reminder of the planning chaos in Stockport, driven in large part by the Lib Dem's ongoing failure — and years of reckless behaviour — to deliver a local plan.

"Without this, Stockport is lacking the framework to guide sustainable development, leaving decisions to be dictated by developers instead of being shaped in the best interests of our residents."

The Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government was contacted for comment.

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