A masterplan to create 2,500 new homes, a new primary school and a Metrolink extension with a stop at Wythenshawe Hospital has been developed.

The Davenport Green Masterplan covers and area also known as Timperley Wedge in Trafford and was identified in Greater Manchester’s long-term development plan Places for Everyone (PfE) which was rubber-stamped in March.

Councillors on Trafford’s executive have approved a detailed formula to rake in cash contributions from developers in order to fund key infrastructure provision, like roads, public transport, doctors’ surgeries and school places.

Executive member for economy and regeneration Cllr Liz Patel said that nearly half – 45 per cent – of the 2,500 homes will be affordable, and there will be 650,000 sq ft of employment space.

New and improved transport and highways infrastructure, including a new spine road through the site as well as a network of new and safe cycling and walking routes are part of the long-term plan.

Meanwhile, the Manchester Airport Metrolink Line Western Leg extension will also be delivered – from the now defunct HS2 stop, past the Wythenshawe Hospital – alongside a local centre comprising a range of shops and services ‘to meet local needs’. A new primary school and a rural park are also promised.

Manor Farm will be protected and there will be moves to relocate Bowdon Rugby Club in or near to Timperley Wedge.

Cllr Patel said: “The site-wide masterplan is critical for Davenport Green to facilitate a clear path to the delivery of new homes and employment space, whilst also ensuring that the necessary and supporting infrastructure is in place or planned for at the right time.”

She said that it was necessary to act now to make sure that all future developers make’ a proportionate contribution’ to the infrastructure needs of Davenport Green.

However, Liberal Democrat group leader Cllr Shaun Ennis warned of the danger of infrastructure being provided as an ‘afterthought’.

“For every development in Britain over the last 20 years, the new housing goes up first and the infrastructure comes later as an afterthought.

“In may cases, the developer just rides off into the sunset,” he said. “How it Timperley Wedge, going to be any different? What measures are Trafford going to have in place, to make sure the infrastructure is going to be there right from the start?”

Cllr Ennis also flagged the apparent lack of social housing in the plan.

Cllr Patel responded by saying the infrastructure element was the ‘whole reason’ for the report to the executive and that infrastructure provision would be ‘baked in’ to the Davenport Green Masterplan.

“No-one will be able to submit a planning application without making a contribution to the infrastructure,” she said.

On social housing she said she ‘couldn’t provide numbers’, but added: “I would hope that over the next 15 to 20 years that we would not only strengthen our policy on social housing and nationally we will see greater incentives to invest in and build social housing. We are absolutely committed to a whole range of social housing at Davenport Green.”

The masterplan is being led by the main landowner at Timperley Wedge, Royal London Asset Management (RLAM) along with other landowners and Trafford council and is expected to be published by the end of this year.