Trafford Council has refused permission in principle for up to nine homes on land off Hasty Lane in Hale Barns.
The application, submitted on behalf of Matthew Welch by Chorley-based MWT Planning, sought to establish the principle of residential development on a parcel of grassland adjacent to 1 Hasty Lane. The decision was issued under delegated powers on 22nd July.
Planners gave three reasons for refusal: the site's overlap with land safeguarded for HS2, its Green Belt location, and the density of the proposed development.
Part of the site fronting Hasty Lane sits on land formally safeguarded for Phase 2b of HS2's Crewe–Manchester route.
HS2 Ltd objected to the application, advising the council that the safeguarded land is required for infrastructure works including highway diversions and embankments, and that further parts of the site would be used as a construction compound and for woodland mitigation planting.
According to the officer's report, HS2 Ltd has resumed work on the High Speed Rail (Crewe–Manchester) Bill following the Government's growth strategy for the North published in January. The Bill, carried over from the last Parliament, seeks powers for the route into Manchester via Manchester Airport and a new station at Manchester Piccadilly, and is intended to support delivery of Northern Powerhouse Rail.
Officers concluded the development would "prejudice" land needed for infrastructure projects of national and regional importance.
Grey belt claim rejected
The applicant's planning statement argued the site qualifies as "grey belt" - Green Belt land that does not strongly contribute to key Green Belt purposes - and cited a shortfall in Trafford's housing land supply, which the council currently puts at 4.7 years against the five required.
Officers rejected the grey belt claim, citing the 2016 Greater Manchester Green Belt Assessment. The assessment found the wider land parcel plays a strong role in checking the sprawl of Hale Barns and forms a critical gap between Hale Barns and Wythenshawe. The proposal was therefore judged inappropriate development in the Green Belt.
"Uncharacteristically dense and cramped"
The third refusal reason related to the amount of development. At around 18 dwellings per hectare, officers said the scheme would appear "uncharacteristically dense and cramped" in an area characterised by large detached houses set in generous plots.
No public representations were received during the consultation period.
The applicant has six months from the decision date to appeal to the Planning Inspectorate.
