A bid to build more than 100 homes in Timperley was given the green light by the Planning Inspectorate as it overturned a decision by Trafford Council.

The scheme for the site of World of Pets and World of Water was refused by the Planning and Development Management Committee around a year ago.

The bid to build 116 homes on the site off Thorley Lane was blocked on the basis of its encroachment into the green belt, despite an attempt by developer Harlex to convince the committee there were exceptional circumstances which allowed for approval.

But councillors disagreed there were exceptional circumstances and the scheme was refused.

READ MORE: Backlash at bid for homes on Timperley's World of Pets.

At the time, Barry Winstanley warned the application could come back with another outcome.

Cllr Winstanley said: "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."

This prediction was prescient as developer Harlex appealed to the Planning Inspectorate, leading to an inquiry last month. A ruling was published on February 22.

Although inspector Graham Chamberlain agreed there was encroachment into the green belt, he ruled 'an acute and persistent housing supply shortfall', as well as other considerations, allowed for approval. He overturned the decision by Trafford Council.

READ MORE: Councillors block bid for homes on Timperley's World of Pets.

The ruling published on February 22 reads: "I have concluded that the scheme would be inappropriate development that would, by definition, harm the green belt."

It adds: "On the other hand, the scheme would assist in addressing the acute and persistent housing supply shortfall and would deliver affordable housing in an area of high need. The scheme would provide other benefits including the reuse of brownfield land, the accumulation of economic benefits and a net gain in biodiversity. Overall, the cumulative benefits of the scheme are other considerations of a high order.

"Protecting the green belt is a matter of great importance to the government, and I have considered the proposal with this in mind. However, in this instance, the harm identified would be clearly outweighed by the other considerations identified."

As the proposal is for outline permission, details such as the appearance and scale of the 116 homes are still to be approved.

This article was written by Jack Tooth. Jack is the reporter for The Messenger and covers anything and everything from within the Metropolitan Borough of Trafford.

To contact him, email jack.tooth@newsquest.co.uk or follow @JTRTooth on Twitter.