Plans for hundreds of homes next to the Royal Horticultural Society's Bridgewater gardens in Salford have been opposed by more than 1,000 people.
Peel Land has submitted a planning application to develop the plot east of Boothstown, using ‘released’ green belt land. The site is next to the 156-acre RHS Garden Bridgewater, a popular tourist attraction.
A previous plan for the lane was withdrawn by the developer after local feedback. But since the latest plan was submitted to Salford council, 1,048 objections have been submitted, with nine people in support.
Bob Clarke, Conservative councillor for Boothstown and Ellenbrook, said the volume of objections showed the plan had “little public support.”
Last month, another Salford Conservative councillor, Les Turner, told the Local Democracy Reporting Service (LDRS) that new housing in the area would put more strain on local services and facilities.
He added: “The problem with all these houses is we can’t build at that scale without the infrastructure to accommodate it. We need more homes, but we need more doctors and dentists, and transport infrastructure.”
Other concerns include the impact of extra traffic on Leigh Road to the north of the site.
Peel Land acknowledged the infrastructure concerns, but said the application includes an “updated assessment of all the infrastructure issues, including transport, education and health.” It added that a discussion is ongoing with authorities over transport mitigation and active travel.
Half of the proposed 295 homes would be designated as ‘affordable’, and the scheme includes contributions from the developer towards more affordable housing around Salford.
The plan includes creating new play parks and active travel routes, as well as improved connectivity to the RHS Garden Bridgewater and the Bridgewater Canal.
Before work can begin, the scheme needs to get the green light from Salford council’s planning committee. The leader of Salford Conservatives, Robin Garrido, is on the panel which will decide the application, as is Mr Clarke.
Salford is a city in urgent need of new housing, with a shortage of affordable homes and a growing homelessness crisis affecting
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