COUNCILLORS refused a bid to build more than 100 homes on the site of Timperley's World of Pets and World of Water this week – but warned the application might come back with an altogether different outcome.

Developer Harlex bought the site off Thorley Lane in 2018, and applied to build 116 homes on it in September.

At a meeting of the council's planning committee on March 10, councillors considered a report by planning officers which recommended the application for refusal on the basis of its encroachment into the green belt.

James Nicholson, managing director of Harlex, tried to convince them there were exceptional circumstances which allowed for approval.

Mr Nicholson also stressed the importance of the inclusion of 52 affordable homes in the application.

But councillors disagreed there were exceptional circumstances, and decided on a refusal in line with planning officers' recommendation.

During discussion, however, Cllr Barry Winstanley raised the issue of Places for Everyone, Greater Manchester's plan for growth which was approved in all boroughs other than Stockport last year, and which is with the Secretary of State for Levelling Up, Housing and Communities to be confirmed.

He suggested from the moment Places for Everyone is confirmed, the site of World of Pets and World of Water is no longer in the green belt.

Cllr Winstanley said: "If Places for Everyone is accepted by the secretary of state, and I see no reason why it will not be accepted, then this area will not be in the green belt anymore. It will be a part of Timperley Wedge.

"If we turn this down today, it will come back again in six or 12 months. My pragmatic side says this is going to be approved at some point."

An officer then confirmed the councillor's suggestion.

She said: "You're right, Cllr Winstanley. If Places for Everyone progresses, it will come back and officers' recommendation will be different."

Mr Nicholson declined to comment on the refusal of the application, or on the intention for another application.