HGGAG works to ensure that all development in Hazel Grove -whether housing, infrastructure or commercial - is planned, sustainable, and respectful of our environment, heritage, and community well-being. We believe growth is inevitable, but it shouldn’t come at the cost of greenbelt loss, ecological damage, overcrowded infrastructure, or degraded quality of life. Our current priority is the proposed Story Homes development on Sandown Road - because its scale and location pose an immediate threat - but we are equally vigilant about every planning proposal that impacts Hazel Grove’s future.
Our Story
We started as a group concerned about Sandown Road, but we quickly saw that many developments in Hazel Grove were proceeding without sufficient oversight, community input, or environmental safeguards. So we broadened our scope to cover all of Hazel Grove. What began as a small, passionate gathering has rapidly grown into a powerful community voice. We're actively organizing petitions, hosting crucial public meetings, and engaging directly with local authorities to challenge these harmful and unsustainable planning proposals.
Our Values
Community Empowerment: Giving a voice to local residents.
Environmental Stewardship: Protecting nature and biodiversity.
Sustainable Future: Advocating for responsible development.
Hazel Grove is changing fast. New housing, commercial proposals, changes in infrastructure – all of them affect our community, our green spaces, our quality of life. At HGGAG, we monitor and advocate for all developments in Hazel Grove, especially those which threaten our greenbelt, environment, and local services. Our immediate priority is the Sandown Road Fields proposal.
The Next Issue
The most advanced fight is the Story Homes planning application for approximately 300 new homes on a significant swathe of Green Belt land located between Sandown Road and the Hazel Grove Golf Course. This massive, inappropriate development is not just a proposal; it's a direct, immediate threat to our precious green spaces and the very character of Hazel Grove.
300+
NEW HOMES
1500+
DAILY CAR JOURNEYS
10%
ESTIMATED INCREASE ON OFFERTON RD
Our Objections
Irreversible Loss of Green Belt:
Hazel Grove's identity as a suburb on the edge of rural
Cheshire and the High Peak is being eroded. Recent planning approvals on what
little green belt we do have mean that we are in danger of becoming a fully
urban town. Once the green fields are gone, they are gone forever.
Roads in Hazel Grove and High Lane are already heavily
congested. Not just the infamous A6 - but Torkington Road, Buxton Road and
Macclesfield Road, as well as many smaller residential roads. An influx of
hundreds more cars each day would exacerbated an already dire situation.
Already our health services, schools and dentists are
overwhelmed. Adding many hundreds more residents and families will increase
pressure on our services, making it harder for everyone to get a doctor's
appointment, see a dentist or secure a place at the school they want for their
child, not to mention the additional streets for our over-stretched police to
keep safe and secure.
The land that developers want to build on is home to Great
Crested Newts, Barn Owls, Bats and even Roe Deer. Destroying their habitats
will ruin the biodiversity of our area.
Local air quality surveyed in 2023 shows that we have levels
of Nitrogen Dioxide which are over 20% higher than the national standard.
Adding hundreds more homes and cars would increasingly choke local people in
Hazel Grove and High Lane.
Many residents have been devastated by floods in the last
decade. Land that developers are seeking to build on has been known to flood in
the past and concreting over this will prevent heavy rainfall being absorbed
and force more water towards our homes. Worryingly, hundreds more homes will
also put greater pressure on our local rivers and streams.
Join the hundreds of concerned Hazel Grove residents who have already added their name to our official petition against the Story Homes Sandown Road development. Every single signature strengthens our collective voice and sends a clear message to planners!
Personal letters from constituents are incredibly impactful! Find our easy-to-use template letters and crucial contact details to object specifically to the Story Homes Sandown Road proposal. Let your elected representatives know you oppose this development.
Your generous donations via GoFundMe are vital! They help us cover essential campaigning costs, including crucial legal advice, effective public awareness materials, and expert consultations in our urgent fight against the Story Homes Sandown Road development. Every contribution, big or small, truly makes a tangible difference.
Stay completely up-to-date with the latest news, urgent calls to action, and vital community discussions specifically regarding the Story Homes Sandown Road development and all local greenbelt issues. Join our rapidly growing community online and become part of the conversation!
We need passionate individuals to help with outreach, research, social media, event organization, and more, specifically for our campaign against Story Homes.
Your presence at council meetings and public consultations regarding the Story Homes proposal sends a strong message. Check our news section for dates.
"My daughter's school field, her only real chance to run around and play freely, is going to be a building site. The noise, the dirt – it's just not fair on the kids. They deserve a proper outdoor space, not a construction zone."
Kate, a concerned Torkington School parent
"It took me 40 minutes to take my child to his lesson at Romiley swimming baths. It's only 3 miles!! We can't take any more traffic locally"
Dave, a Racecourse Estate Resident
"I won't feel safe letting my children out on their bikes anymore. Not with the HGVs coming through the estate, and then the 600+ new cars coming through all day long"
Craig, a Father of 3 children
"I worry about the long-term impact on our local services. Our doctor's surgery is already stretched, and the schools are at capacity. Where are all these new families going to go?"
Mary
"The gardens on Sandown flood every time there is heavy rain on the field. We've lost thousands of pounds in damage, and last time it took months to repair"
