200 new homes at Mirrlees Fields approved in appeal

Up to 200 new homes can now be built on part of Mirrlees Fields near Stepping Hill following a successful appeal by landowners, MAN Energy Solutions.

Outline plans for the development on the site, an approximately 25 hectare greenfield site next to MAN Energy Solutions’ offices, were rejected by councillors in 2022, despite being recommended for approval by the Stockport Council’s planning officers. Councillors, along with many local residents, criticised the potential loss of open space in the surrounding community.

MAN Energy Solutions and advisors, Asteer Planning, launched an appeal of the decision with the national Planning Inspectorate in Spring 2023. MAN proposed 4.4 hectares of the site be developed for housing, including 50% affordable housing provision; the remainder of the site would be transferred to the Land Trust to be retained for public use as an informal country park, which would protect the area from future development.

Following a visit to the site and a public inquiry, which heard from developers, representatives from Stockport Council, and local community organisation, ‘Protect Mirrlees Fields From Development’, during Autumn 2023, Planning Inspector Caroline Mulloy allowed the appeal. In her report, she agreed with the appellants of the benefits that making a significant area of private land accessible to the public would offer. Her report also acknowledged the significant boost the scheme would offer to meeting the shortfall of housing in Stockport, and determined the borough had a 3.78 year supply of housing, less than the Council’s own estimate and below its target five-year supply.

Following approval of the scheme at appeal, MAN Energy Solutions has announced housebuilder Kellen Homes has been appointed to develop the site. MAN, a subsidiary of Volkswagen whose premises sit next to the site, will use funds from sale of the land for development in order to invest in its workforce, buildings and transition to green technologies.