More than 130 new homes could be built on green belt land and open fields to the north of the A555.

The development, if built, would be seven miles from Manchester Airport and close to Adidas' Hazel Grove headquarters.

Plans have been put in by Bellway Homes for 134 new houses at Mill Bank Farm off Chester Road in Hazel Grove, Stockport. If given planning approval by Stockport Council, the new homes would be built on fields just north of the A555 on an area currently designated green belt.

Bellway Homes, which began as a small family business in 1946, is now one of the largest developers of new homes across the UK and claims 'a proven track record of providing good quality aspirational housing'. The development promises to create 'create a well-informed attractive neighbourhood,

not overly dominated by the car and give a sensitive integration and

robust solution to the existing character area'.

The site covers a nearly five hectare area of farmland on the edge of Hazel Grove made up of 'open fields with trees dispersed throughout' and has never been developed. A design and access statement linked to a planning application said the development is close to Adidas' north Europe headquarters as well as number of parks, play areas, and sports pitches.

The planning document said the homes would be 'a mix of high quality affordable and open market dwellings' and 'sympathetic' to the local area. A series of new roads would be created across the new development with vehicle access from Chester Road.

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Astle Planning and Design, who produced the design statement on behalf of Bellway Homes, said: "The aim is to create an inclusive environment that can be easily used by as many people as possible. The development proposals for the site are founded on the creation of high quality residential environment.

"All streets will interconnect and promote walking and cycling permeability throughout the site giving free access to pedestrians and cyclists."

If approved by the local authority, Bellway have also promised 'financial contributions towards local education facilities, healthcare services and open space, sports and recreational facilities'.

Developments on green belt land have previously come under fire over fears 'Hazel Grove and surrounding areas are being swamped by developers looking to concrete over our precious green spaces'. One protest in July 2024 saw more than 300 people attend according to organisers.

Stockport Council aims to see 25,000 homes built across the borough by 2042 with land already developed to be prioritised for new housing. Liberal Democrat councillor Mark Roberts, whose party just took back control of the local authority, previously said they had been 'forced' to look at using green belt land by the current Labour government's housing targets.

In April, the local authority also launched a legal challenge against Redrow Homes's plans to expand the Woodford Garden Village with 540 new homes. After an appeal from the developer won, the local authority said they still had concerns and were taking the Planning Inspectorate decision to the High Court.

A decision on the application is expected by August 10.

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