Council prepares to back Peel’s Worsley plans

COUNCILLORS in Salford are expected to approve plans for a major residential and leisure development on agricultural land next to the Bridgewater Canal in Worsley, despite widespread opposition.

Peel Investments, a subsidiary of Manchester-based Peel Group, has teamed up with housebuilder Taylor Wimpey for the project which could see 600 houses built alongside leisure facilities including a 130-berth marina.

The development would cover around 83 acres on two adjoining sites in the Broadoak area.

The plans have attracted the opposition of residents who formed a group called Residents Against Inappropriate Development (RAID) in January and argue brownfield sites should be developed before greenfield sites are released.

Campaigners are also reluctant to see the loss of open space and concerned about the strain the development will put on existing infrastructure.

In a report prepared of the planning committee meeting tomorrow, council officers said: “The adverse impacts of the proposed development have been considered, assessed and weighed against the benefits of the scheme. It is considered that the impacts associated with the proposed development can be largely mitigated through the use of planning conditions and obligations where necessary.

“Although the development would harm the functionality of the Worsley Greenway as protected by UDP policy EN2; it is not considered that the adverse impacts would significantly and demonstrably outweigh the benefits of the development, when considered in the context of the current housing supply position and the delivery of new housing in a sustainable location.

“The overall conclusion is that the key material considerations in relation to housing land supply, justify the release of the site for development. Development of the site represents an opportunity to provide housing to meet pressing housing needs in a sustainable location.”