Controversial 45-homes plan for Idle Moor is withdrawn

Last year, Gleeson Homes submitted a planning application to build 45 homes on Idle Moor – on land next to Kenstone Crescent.

The plans were greeted with a huge amount of local opposition, and the creation of campaign group Save Idle Moor.

The field where developers wanted to build 45 homes on Idle Moor

Eventually, 873 people wrote to the Council to voice their opposition.

This week, the application has been withdrawn, and campaigners have "cautiously welcomed" the news.

Before the withdrawal, a number of Council officers had questioned the plans.

Highways officers said there were “major shortfalls in meeting current design and adoption standards.”

They said the plan “does not provide safe and suitable vehicular and pedestrian access arrangements to serve the development.”

Other officers pointed out that the site is designated as urban greenspace.

Urban Design officers said the proposals “Does not provide safe and suitable vehicular and pedestrian access arrangements to serve the development.”

They added: “It is not considered that the scheme creates new quality spaces, or that it integrates well with the wider landscape.”

And officers from the Department for Place said the scheme “presents a very disappointing approach to addressing bio-diversity net gain.”

The Save Idle Moor group has cautiously welcomed the withdrawal of the plans.

"Obviously, as local residents we are cautiously pleased and it's good news at this points in time," said Julie Tyne, one of the organisers of Save Idle Moor. "They can re-apply but we're hoping they don't pursue it again.

"There were a lot objections from people for a number of reasons," she said. "We wanted it to remain as a green space because so many people use the public rights of way to go walking or walk their dog.

"I've lived up here for 20 years as have many residents and we've enjoyed the open space," said Julie, who lives on Kenstone Crescent.

The field off Kenstone Crescent where developers wanted to build 45 homes

"Access was also an issue, particularly from Green Lane upwards. The development would have brought another load of cars on roads with tight bends that were never meant to be through roads.

"There were more than 800 objections from people across Idle, Wrose and Thackley.

"As a group who campaigned against it, we printed a load of banners and distributed over 2,000 flyers to homes in the area.

"We had a good response from people and the MP, Imran Hussain, supported us as did local councillors."

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