COUNCIL OFFICERS RECOMMEND A NEW 209 HOME DEVELOPMENT FROM BELLWAY BE GIVEN THE GO AHEAD ON ST GEORGES PLAYING FIELDS IN WALKDEN

The 16 acre site has been vacant since the schools closure in 2013, with the land now a popular location for dog walkers. Earlier this year (March) 'No Trespassing, Private Land' signs were put up much to the anger of local people. The decision raised eyebrows with some suggesting the planning decision was already a 'done deal' as at the time it had not yet been granted.

The council has since received 52 objections from people living close to the site and they are said to be taking all comments put forward into consideration, however it has been recommended today by council officers that the plan should be approved when Councillors meet this Thursday.

Many of the objections cite fears over traffic congestion and noise pollution as well as adverse effects on local schools and services. There are also concerns over disruption in the area as the new homes are built.

The new builds will consist of 123 three bed and 86 four bed houses, 20% of which will be classed as 'affordable'

The would come in the form of detached, semi-detached and terraced properties. Vehicle access into the site would be taken from Hilton Lane.

Within the site there would be two circular access roads leading to shared space/cul-de-sacs. The proposed dwellings would be positioned to front the internal roads and shared spaces within the development.

Bellway is already coming under fire from residents living close to the companies 241 home developments on the site of a former sewage works in Swinton. Residents in the area have slammed Bellway for having a cavalier attitude towards local residents.

Existing homeowners adjacent to the site have described their lives as becoming miserable as formally quiet secluded roads having now become access routes for trucks and heavy machinery. Some residents have told of how the noise levels from the site have become unbearable and yet despite local councillors getting involved the problems still persist despite multiple objections from both locals and councillors.

Bellway says that they have engaged with the public on the proposed  new development at St Georges and have worked with the councils officers to ensure that the homes would not impact on the surroundings, stating that 20% of the new builds would be what are deemed to be affordable by current standards, however, some have criticised the need for this type of housing in the area and have pointed out the Cities much more pressing need for affordable social housing to be built.

The developer argues that they are bringing a vacant site back into use and creating high quality accommodation in a sustainable location.

In may this year, the City Mayor and his deputy responded angrily at plans for a free school to open on the site of the former secondary.

Under plans put forward by the Government, the site would be handed over for a 125 year lease at a peppercorn rent to to make way for a new 750 place co-educational, non faith secondary school to be ran by Star Academy Trust.

In an statement given by Paul Dennett, he questioned the demand for the new school due to its proximity to the existing Harrop Fold and Walkden Secondary schools. He noted that the more pressing demand is for local primary school places.

Deputy Mayor John Merry said he would use every legal means available to prevent it.

If the controversial development is passed as expected this Thursday, Bellway would have to make a £1.4m contribution as part of its section 106 commitments. That cash seems to have already been earmarked for improvements to local parks, bus services and to increase capacity to local primary places among other things listed below.

£275,880 Bus Service contribution – Improvements to bus services in the area, to improve accessibility from the development to key interchanges and the wider high frequency bus network. 

£252,921 Open space contribution – Improvements to Parr Fold Park and/or Peel Park.

£170,570 Sports Pitch contribution – Improvements to Wharton Playing Fields changing rooms and pitches.

£150,000 - Public Realm contribution – To direct some or all of the monies towards either improvements to the loop line as it heads towards the guided bus way and/or improved connections to the site including works to improve pubic rights of way. 

£581,011 Education contribution - To increase capacity to an existing or new primary school(s) within Pupil Planning Area 1 (Walkden North and Little Hulton) and/or Pupil Planning Area 2 Boothstown, Worsley & Ellenbrook.

£10,000 – Walkden Train Station contribution – cycle parking facilities to serve commuters using the station. 

£48,000 Newearth Road and Hilton Lane Mini Roundabout – Highway infrastructure improvement scheme to improve the pedestrian / cycle facilities.

£9,000 – Traffic Calming – Installation of traffic calming features to the north of the railway bridge

£7,000 Ecology contribution – Habitat creation work to support the butterfly population at Blackleach Country Park