A major expansion of Woodford Garden Village in Stockport has been given the go-ahead after an appeal, making way for 540 new homes to be built.

The village is based by the A555 on the boundary between Stockport and Cheshire, close to Adlington where there are also major development plans for up to 20,000 homes.

Proposals to expand Woodford Garden Village were submitted in late 2024 based on part of the former Woodford Aerodrome, a site which is owned by Harrow Estates.

The developer later lodged an appeal with the government's Planning Inspector over the application.

It accused Stockport council in September 2025 of 'prolonged delays' to the application process, which had an initial decision deadline of May 2025.

A statement of common ground was issued between the council and developer ahead of a planning inquiry, which meant that some concerns around traffic congestion and active travel would not be used by the council as reasons to oppose the appeal.

On March 13 this year, the Planning Inspector ruled that the Woodford Garden Village expansion should be allowed to move ahead.

A report stated that the proposals 'do not constitute an inappropriate form of development in the green belt according to national policy.'

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The main issue being decided in the inquiry was over facilities for education and sports.

The report explained: 'The primary education contribution offered by the appellant [developer] is defined as £1,544,328.46, which would be paid prior to the commencement of any development.'

It also added that there would be 'contributions of £940,895 directed solely toward Woodford Recreation Ground for enhancement and renewal of sports pitches and ancillary facilities … and a maintenance sum of £530,720.'

The Planning Inspector concluded: 'Overall, the direct benefits arising from the development relative to all considerations give me appropriate reasons to allow the appeal.

'There are no other considerations of sufficient weight counting against it to conclude otherwise.'

Approval for the scheme through the appeals process sparked outrage among some councillors.

Planning applications of this scale would normally be decided through a vote by Stockport council's planning committee.

Peter Crossen, representing the Bramhall South and Woodford ward, said 'local democracy has been overridden' by how the process played out.

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He also questioned why the council had originally recommended that the application be refused, but then submitted a 'statement of common ground' ahead of the appeal inquiry.

Councillor Crossen said: "As a result, concerns relating to highway network operation, sustainable transport, and active travel impacts were not pursued by the Liberal Democrat-led council as reasons to oppose the appeal scheme."

The Planning Inspector's decision confirmed that the statement of common ground led to the 'narrowing [of] disputed issues'.

It explained: 'Based on that information, highway network operation, sustainable transport, and active travel impacts as potential putative reasons for Stockport Metropolitan Borough Council to oppose the appeal scheme were not pursued by them.'

Lib Dem Councillor Jake Austin, Stockport council's lead on housing matters, said the government 'have chosen to ignore the voice of Stockport residents and have greenlit another development that local Liberal Democrats have stood against.'

He added: "We were disappointed to see this decision come through but not surprised given this government has consistently sided with developers over our communities.

"Our officers put in an extraordinary amount of work to fight for the right verdict, and I'm grateful for their efforts.

"If Councillor Crossen was serious about representing his residents against green-belt development, he would join us in calling out the government for the ludicrously high housing targets it has given to our borough."

Steve Neal, Harrow's planning director, said: "We're pleased that the Planning Inspector has recognised the significant benefits of this extension to Woodford Garden Village.

"This decision follows a comprehensive inquiry process, which confirmed that the scheme meets national planning requirements and will deliver much‑needed new homes.

"This includes 50 per cent affordable housing, as well as improved sports facilities, extensive new green space, a new community hub, investment in local education and enhanced sustainable transport links.

"We remain committed to working closely with local councillors, residents and stakeholders and continuing the high standard of placemaking we've delivered since work began at Woodford Garden Village 10 years ago."

A Stockport council spokesperson said: "The council is understandably disappointed with the decision which was issued by the Planning Inspectorate last Friday and is currently reviewing it in detail.

"The planning appeal system in England encourages local planning authorities and appellants to narrow the issues which are contested at appeals and in particular appeals which are heard by way of a public inquiry.

"In this particular case, officers sought to negotiate an agreed package of both off site highway mitigation works as well as improvements in sustainable transport."

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