Bellway acquires Gatley Golf Club to deliver 278 new homes

Housebuilder, Bellway, has acquired the 44-acre Gatley Golf Club site, with a view to deliver on proposals for 278 new homes.

Planning permission for homes on the site either side of the Manchester to Wilmslow railway line, including 50% affordable housing provision, was granted to the golf club on appeal after Stockport Council had originally rejected the plans over the loss of green space. Gatley Golf Club sought the development and sale of the site, aided by Hollins Strategy Land, after finding the private course was no longer financially viable.

Following the purchase of the site, Bellway will bring forward the 278 new homes proposed for Gatley Golf Club, as well as new public open space, allotments, tennis courts and retention of the local theatre company.

George Stevenson, Land Director at Bellway Homes, said:

“The former Gatley Golf Club is a high-profile addition to our future pipeline of new homes in Greater Manchester. Bellway Homes moved swiftly and reliably to purchase the site once selected and we are looking forward to an early start as soon as we have all necessary planning approvals. 

“To deliver high quality new Bellway homes in an attractive parkland setting will set the standard for new housing development in Stockport. We were impressed with the ways in which Hollins Strategic Land achieved planning permission and negotiated the land sale to us and we look forward to working with them again on other deals in the future.”

Paul O’Shea, Director at Hollins Strategic Land, said:

“Our expert, considered, evidence-led and hands on approach to planning for new housing developments in sustainable locations has once again seen us succeed in achieving a highly marketable planning permission and a valuable sale for our landowner partner, Gatley Golf Club. 

“We successfully navigated a number of significant planning, technical and legal obstacles utilising our deep knowledge and experience of how best to unlock challenging development opportunities.  We now look forward to Bellway Homes delivering on our vision for a landscape-led scheme which will see the local community gain over 10 hectares of new publicly accessible green open space as well as many other worthwhile benefits.”

A spokesperson for Gatley Golf Club commented:

“Working with Hollins Strategic Land opened our eyes to the complexity of the planning system and we were very glad to have been in the hands of the expert team of professionals at Hollins. 

“The sale to Bellway Homes will bring benefits to the local community by way of much-needed new homes set in extensive parkland.  Once completed we have no doubt that the development will serve as a fitting tribute to the legacy of Gatley Golf Club.”   

JMW Solicitors acted for Hollins Strategic Land in the sale, with Freeths advising Bellway’s North West team.