This morning I attended the meeting of the Planning Panel to discuss the Peel Holdings proposal for a Racecourse and Forest Park on the land south of Boothstown and west of Worsley Village. I’m very pleased that the Planning Panel listened to local residents and decided that it was “minded to refuse” the application, which is now being passed to the Planning Inspectorate for a Public Enquiry and a final decision.
The decision was made on two grounds – inappropriate development on Green Belt land and effect on the local highways. The developers were unable to satisfy the Planning Panel that there were the exceptional circumstances which are a requirement for development on Green Belt, and they were unable to persuade the Panel that there would not be a detrimental impact on traffic and highways in the local area.
Junction 13 of the M60 and the approach roads (Walkden Road, Leigh Road and Worsley Road) operate well above capacity in peak periods for most of the year, and the impact of this new development would cause chaos not just in Worsley and Boothstown but also into Walkden and Eccles.
The application will now go forward to the Inquiry for a final decision, but today’s decision means that Salford City Council is formally opposed to the proposal. The Inquiry will be next year sometime – the date is yet to be confirmed – but residents who wish to comment on the proposals need to do so before next Wednesday (December 24th – yes Christmas Eve). You can find full details on how to comment on the Council website.
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