76-Year-Old Farmer Alan French Resists Compulsory Purchase For 2,150 Tameside Houses

Alan French, a 76-year-old farmer, is refusing to leave his property at Far Meadow Farm in Godley, near Hyde, Tameside. The surrounding land has been acquired for a planned development of 2,150 houses on green belt land.

French has resided at Far Meadow Farm for 17 years. He contends this will be his final stand, having been dislodged from two previous homes due to compulsory purchase orders (CPOs) for new developments. "Every time I move somewhere developers want it," French stated, adding, "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."

The 15-year building scheme, known as the Godley Green Garden Village, has received the backing of the Tameside Council leader, who asserted it will "create a natural, representative community from the outset." However, thousands of local residents have formally objected to the development, which is a joint venture between Tameside Council and MADE partnership, involving Barratt Redrow PLC, Homes England, and Lloyds Banking Group.

Planning permission was granted last month, and CPOs have been issued to French's neighbours. The farmer maintains that the area is no longer rural and will deteriorate further if the development proceeds.