Farmer refuses to budge for 2,000 new houses
LDRSA farmer is refusing to move from his home next door to a planned new village to be built on green belt land.
Alan French has lived on his farm in Godley near Hyde, Tameside, for 17 years and the land around him is being bought up so 2,150 houses can be constructed.
The 76-year-old moved to Far Meadow Farm after being forced out of two previous homes due to compulsory purchase orders (CPOs) for developments and said this time he is "not moving".
The 15-year building scheme, known as the Godley Green Garden Village, has the backing of the Tameside Council leader who claimed it will "create a natural, representative community from the outset".
The farmer said: "Every time I move somewhere developers want it.
"I'm 76 now and I think by the time it all gets going and they build from the other end, I shall probably have died by then. But just for spite I'm not going to.
"This is no longer a rural place. It's going to get worse if they get their way."
LDRSPlanning permission was granted last month and French's neighbours have had CPOs issued to them.
Thousands of residents objected to the development by Tameside Council and MADE partnership – a joint venture between Barratt Redrow PLC, Homes England and Lloyds Banking Group.
Council leader Eleanor Wills said the development "has been thought through very carefully".
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