A MULTI-MILLION pound regeneration programme in Sale West has been given the green light by council chiefs.

Plans were submitted on behalf of Irwell Valley Homes for 79 new affordable homes on underused land on the Sale West Estate at a cost of £11m.

Nine letters of objection were lodged by local residents and Caitlin Philips spoke out, voicing locals' concerns over the development, with worries over how the estate currently provides opportunities for people to meet others and objection to a road being built through the middle of the estate and closing off back paths and alleyways.

She said: "The community was only informed as an afterthought and residents perceptions of needs and the most valued features of the estate that should be protected have been ignored.

"The proposed through road only benefits new houses not the existing community and the new road will undermine the quality of life.

"The current layout of the estate encourages people to walk and provides opportunities for people to meet people. Closure of pedestrian routes and paths extends the walk to reach crucial shops, post offices and schools."

Cllr Thomas Carey and Cllr Brian Rigby also relayed fears about the impact on school places created by the potential scheme.

Rhian Stratton, the developer's project director, said: “This is the biggest estate regeneration project in Greater Manchester for over a decade. In addition to the investment in new homes, we are investing £7m in existing homes on the estate, installing new kitchens, boilers, roofs, painting and fencing."

Cllr James Wright, the council's housing executive member, said: “One of the council’s main priorities is to provide great, affordable homes for residents and this application certainly meets that criteria. We have listened to residents throughout the planning process and now look forward to the new homes being built.”

Eventually 263 homes could be built at Sale West.