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by Lib Dem team on 5 October, 2024
In February 2024, the Council’s Highways and Planning Committee rejected a proposal to build nearly 300 homes on the Gatley Golf Course—a decision largely thanks to the dedication of local Liberal Democrat councillors. Their leadership and firm opposition to the development ensured the community’s voice was heard, despite the Labour leader’s failure to recommend refusal at the area committee.
Now, the developer has appealed, and local Liberal Democrat councillors continue to fight on behalf of residents, submitting detailed objections to the Planning Inspectorate. These include concerns about increased traffic, loss of strategic open space, and the lack of sufficient transport infrastructure. Local roads are already overwhelmed, and the proposed development would worsen congestion, creating safety risks and delays for residents.
The hearing itself is due to start on 26th November and the council will be be defending it’s decision to reject the application.
The hypocrisy of Labour is undeniable. While they voted for approval of this development and continue to comply with the Labour government’s unrealistic housing targets, they now claim to support local residents in opposition. Their inconsistent stance is glaring, especially as these targets directly threaten the area’s green spaces.
The Gatley Golf Course land was intended for the community, not for profit-driven development. The Liberal Democrats have been consistent in their fight to protect this vital green space, while Labour’s actions suggest a disregard for the community’s interests. As the fight continues, it’s clear who’s truly standing up for residents—and it’s not Labour.
7 Comments
HSL seems to be ploughing ahead prior to the Appeal.
Does anyone know the details behind the Land Registry entry of 9 Aug 2004….
A Deed dated 8 August 2024 made between (1) The Gatley Golf Club Limited and (2) Hollins Didsbury Limited contains restrictive covenants.
Does anyone know the detail of the various Restrictive Covenants?
Also.
Rumour suggests that some or all of the land was a gift in 1950. If so, there are probably restrictions on how the land may be used – maybe even what should happen in the event that the club closes.
Hi Des – it’s quite common for there to be rumours of restrictive covenants on land, but unless someone’s got a document with the covenant, it doesn’t have any legal standing. I don’t know any details about a deed dated August of this year, but they wouldn’t have entered into the agreement if it stopped them delivering the development. This one is going to be decided by the planning inspector. – Iain
Glad to hear you are still supportive. GGC was not mentioned in Huma’s letter.
“The Gatley Golf Course land was intended for the community”
No, it wasn’t. It never was intended for the community. It was intended for the local elite who could afford the membership fees. That was the intent in 1912, when it was established and nothing changed between then and now.
If the Lib Dem led council is serious about preserving it as a community open space, then buy the land off the owners, at the going rate of course, and maintain it as a park open to all. Alternatively – and of better assistance to the community – buy the land and develop their own scheme for social housing for rent.
Seems to me that the NIMBY statements of local Lib Dems are very much at odds with the excellent plans to tackle the housing crisis that were in the party’s recent election manifesto.
Tell that to the wildlife gradually being squeezed out. Gatley golf course is teeming with bats in the evening, and I’m prepared to bet the ponds there support a few protected species… I know we need more housing (or fewer people), but wanting to defend spaces that have merit as habitat is not NIMBYism…
Des – I’m not sure about the land being given as a gift. In the Mitchell’s 1980 history of Gatley, they write that the land was part of Waterfall Farm, which was owned by the estate of a James Cronshaw. John Tullock bought the estate in 1919. “He built the house on Firs Road called Rodmull and became a member of the golf club, In 1950, the Golf Club purchased the course, together with the club house.” Of course, I suppose the purchase price may have been a nominal amount