Plans to build 278 new homes on the site of a former golf club in Gatley will go to the Stockport Council Planning & Highways Regulation Committee next week. 

The housing development off Styal Road would aim to create a range of dwellings, around half of which would be affordable homes. 

The committee is recommended to grant authority to the deputy chief executive, who will determine the outcome of the application. 

The applicant claims that residents of the new site would be able to access everything they need within 20 minutes. "This will contribute towards the creation of a healthy, active and sustainable community", they say, and will "keep jobs and money local". 

The Heald Green community theatre and golf clubhouse will remain in place - the latter would be converted into a 'community hub', which could comprise either a cafe, a work-space, a creche, or retail space.

The new development would straddle the railway line (Image via planning document)

The new development would also include eight hectares of public open space, as well as new shrubs and trees.

The golf club which the houses will replace was classed in a planning statement as 'surplus to requirements', and 'not economically viable'. 

The applicant argues that existing golf provision in the borough is sufficient, and will remain so even if this one is removed. 

The applicant's planning statement concludes thus: "This proposal will make a significant contribution to increasing housing land supply and moreover deliver much needed new affordable homes in a sustainable location and help reduce the pressures on Stockport's Green Belt for housing development.

"The submitted proposals represent an appropriate and sensitive response to the site [...]

"It is clear that there are no adverse impacts that would significantly and demonstrably outweigh the many very significant benefits"

The application has thus far received 1,003 comments. The next planning committee takes place on Thursday 14 December.

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