Stockport Council has launched a legal challenge against a developer's plan to build 540 homes near the A555 Airport Relief Road.

Redrow Homes (Harrow Estates division) proposals to expand Woodford Garden Village by building on green belt land in December 2024.

The firm later accused Stockport council of 'prolonged delays' in making a decision on the planning application.

Nearly a year later, in September 2025, Redrow lodged an appeal to the Planning Inspector and was successful, with permission given to press on with the work.

The government said in a report published in March that the development would 'not constitute an inappropriate form of development in the green belt'.

It said the developer had offered £1.5m of funding towards primary education, as well as nearly £1m to be spent on facilities at Woodford Recreation Ground.

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."

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Stockport council, led by the Lib Dems, said it has filed a legal challenge with the High Court over the Planning Inspector's decision.

Councillor Jake Austin, Stockport council's cabinet member for housing and environment, said there are still concerns about a 'lack of open-space provisions, infrastructure, and other amenities' in the plans.

He added: "After working closely through the detail with our planning team, it's right the council has moved ahead with this challenge. Our green belt is precious, and it should not be subject to the whims of developers.

"If the Labour government is going to force its developers charter across our green belt, it is imperative that we are able to get the right infrastructure in place – including the educational and open-space provisions.

"I am grateful to councillors Dallas Jones, Jeremy Meal and Cheadle MP, Tom Morrison, who have worked with us continually to ensure residents' voices are heard, pushing the council to protect our green spaces and fight against unfair developments across Bramhall and Woodford.

"Leaving this decision unchallenged would've had a devastating impact on the precedent of future developments across Stockport.

"This decision is about more than just one development, it is about fighting back against this government and delivering the infrastructure we need across all of the borough where they are forcing development to happen."

Steve Neal, Harrow's planning director, said: "The extension to Woodford Garden Village was approved following a comprehensive and independent process.

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"We were pleased the Planning Inspectorate supported the scheme and acknowledged the direct benefits it will bring for the area.

"The development will provide much‑needed new homes, including 50 per cent affordable housing, alongside new green space, improved sports facilities, education investment and sustainable transport improvements.

"We remain committed to working constructively with Stockport council and local representatives as we continue to grow the community at Woodford Garden Village."

Councillors in the Woodford area have previously raised concerns about how the development could add to congestion to local roads.

Councillor Peter Crossen said at a public meeting in October: "More and more families are going to have to drive to get their children to school every morning and afternoon, and that's going to impact more and more, especially when you add on to it the impact of the Handforth Garden Village development and the impact that's going to have.

"It's already congested roads, trying to get on to the A555 at rush hour is chaos."

The Planning Inspector said it was not able to comment because legal proceedings had been filed.

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