Assistant mayor wants Peel peace talks

SALFORD’S assistant mayor for strategic planning is offering to hold talks with developer Peel after its plans for a 600-home estate on green land were vetoed by the Government.

Cllr Derek Antrobus said he was elated that the bid to build the estate on grazing land at Broadoak between Monton and Worsley – known as the Greenway – in Salford had failed.

A public inquiry took place in the summer of 2014 but it has taken until now for the Whitehall inspector’s decision to be published.

Secretary of State for communities and local government Eric Pickles turned down the plan and backed Salford City Council’s policy to protect its green land.

“There is a need for more housing in Salford, but we also need to make sure that new housing is properly planned so that we have the right infrastructure in place to create successful communities,” said Cllr Antrobus.

“What we’ve seen – because of the National Planning Policy Framework – is that developers have been picking green fields and we’ve had planning by appeal. This is not the way to create communities.

“What this decision does say is that local planning authories can have some meaning. This land had special significance for the communities it serves.

“But irrespective of this decision, I would like to sit down with Peel to make sure they work with us to identify sites that are more acceptable, instead of adopting this almost random approach to development.”

Cllr Antrobus said he had asked Peel to withdraw the original application, “but they point-blank refused”.

And he added the decision of the inspector could have broader consequences for future planning applications.

“The decision of the inspector said our policy to protect the Greenway was the main consideration.

“This puts a big question mark over Peel’s future proposals in that area.”

A spokesman for Peel said the company did not wish to comment.