The High Court has ruled that developers must provide financial contributions to local authorities for necessary infrastructure, overturning a previous decision to grant planning permission for a large industrial scheme in Carrington.
Mr Justice Kimblin quashed the Secretary of State’s approval for Peel NRE’s 19,000sqm industrial proposal on Manchester Road, siding with Trafford Council, which had originally refused permission due to the absence of adequate funding for the Carrington Relief Road and other infrastructure. The council had sought £5.4m in contributions.
The judge found that the planning inspector had failed to consider whether a financial contribution was required and had limited the highways assessment to the scheme alone rather than the wider area.
He emphasised that the Greater Manchester ‘Places for Everyone’ Development Plan clearly requires coordinated delivery of infrastructure with proportionate contributions from all developments.
Trafford Council’s Executive Member for Economy and Regeneration, Liz Patel, welcomed the ruling.
‘Our concern has always been to ensure that developers pay proportionately for new infrastructure, rather than seeking to “cherry pick” for individual developments,’ she said.
‘We will only secure the growth and well-planned new communities that we all need if they are accompanied by the right transport and other supporting facilities.’
