HIGH rise flats could be built on green belt land in the middle of Flixton, according to a report by an independent planning consultancy.

Urban Imprint, a company hired by campaigners, presented their findings to residents in a public meeting at the John Alker on Flixton Road last night.

Bob Philips, the company’s director, said the plan to build on William Wroe golf course could comprise high rise buildings, with multiple storeys and lifts.

He said the development would be more like something expected on the edge of Manchester City Centre.

The golf course has been identified as a possible site to build 750 homes in the Greater Manchester Spatial Framework (GMSF), a document that outlines the strategic planning vision for the region over the next two decades.

But to fit 750 homes on the land, the density would need be 60 dwellings per hectare, Mr Philips said, which would mean “high rise” buildings.

Residents cheered when Mr Philips said a number of times that “this site make no sense” and that the choice of that site was “unsound”.

He said: “There is no evidence that shows us the way that this site has been identified or the process that has been taken to reach this decision – it just doesn’t add up.”

Mr Philips also said building 750 homes, which would bring an estimated 1,800 more residents to Flixton, would impact on community infrastructure, such roads, schools and healthcare.

He compared the proposal with the New Carrington and Timperley Wedge developments, which, with a total of 11,500 homes, would require the creation of new schools and health services.

Mr Philips said those two sites could be extended instead of building on William Wroe.

He also questioned whether the development was needed at all, claiming that the GMSF identifies sites for 1,500 more homes than are needed in Trafford.

Member of Flixton, Urmston and Davyhulme Future Planning group, Michelle McGrath, who chaired the meeting, said a GP practice manager had told her around 2,500 new patients would be needed to allow them to hire one new GP.

Mrs McGrath said that the surgeries would continue to take on board all new patients but no extra funding would be available.

A further meeting has been planned with Trafford council before the redraft of the GMSF next year.