The Speaker’s Panel (Planning) of Tameside Council has granted approval for a scheme to build 175 homes on land off Huddersfield Road in Mossley, a decision that has been met with disappointment from campaigners and town councillors.
What was decided
The detailed reserved matters application from Wain Homes covers land between the Hey Farm estate and Mossley Hollins High School. Outline planning permission for the site was granted in July 2024. The reserved matters application was considered at a meeting of the Speaker’s Panel (Planning) on Wednesday 23 July, where it was approved.
| Decision | Number |
|---|---|
| Homes approved | 175 |
| Objectors | More than 200 |
| Council vote | 5 for, 4 against, 2 abstentions |
How councillors voted
- Five councillors voted in favour of the reserved matters application.
- Four Reform UK members voted against.
- Labour’s Atta Ul-Rasool and Conservative Doreen Dickinson abstained.
The applicant has indicated a desire to start work within a year and complete the development within five years.
Community reaction
Campaigners, residents and local representatives have expressed strong dismay at the panel’s decision. More than 200 objections were submitted to the council, and all three ward borough councillors — Jack Homer, Stephen Homer and Gary Roylance — had formally opposed the application. Mossley Town Council also objected.
“This will come as deeply disappointing news to many people across Mossley… Development must never come at the cost of compromising the character of our town or the wellbeing of its residents.”
The comment above, from Mossley Town Councillors Dave Jones and Hamza Aslam, reflects sustained local campaigning against building on the site. They underlined that opposition had been ongoing for well over a decade and highlighted concerns that new housing should be affordable and supported by appropriate infrastructure.
Outstanding concerns raised at the meeting
Speakers at the meeting also raised broader issues about cumulative impacts. Councillors Doreen Dickinson and Allan Hopwood warned about the combined effects of this and other developments along Huddersfield Road, particularly at the junction with Mottram Road, citing potential pressures on local roads and services.
- More than 200 formal objections were received.
- Local representatives and community groups, including Protect Our Mossley, opposed the plans.
- The developer expects to begin on site within a year and to finish within five years.
The decision marks a significant moment for Mossley as the town balances the demand for new homes with enduring concerns about local character, infrastructure and the environment. Those seeking further detail should consult Tameside Council’s planning portal for the committee report, conditions attached to the permission and any future reserved or discharge applications linked to the site.
