OPPONENTS to new homes in the Sale area have been thrown a lifeline after planning chiefs threw out two proposals.

The schemes, to build a three-storey block of apartments on Moss Lane and a four-storey block of apartments on Harboro Road, were both refused under policy UR7 of RPG13 - the regional planning guidelines for developments in the northwest.

Officers had initially approved of the Moss Lane scheme, but just hours before the planning meeting last Thursday they changed their minds.

And Trafford hopes to use any appeal as a test case for the new policy.

RPG13, published in March this year, details the number of properties that must be built in the northwest to meet housing demand.

Trafford need to build an average 270 new dwellings a year with an additional 40 dwellings to replace any lost through demolition or clearance.

And the borough is already over that figure.

The council's policy now states that planning permission will not be granted anywhere within the borough if there is enough already granted to cover the annual average requirement.

Even if the council allowed a 10 per cent variance to allow for properties that do not get built in the next six years, it is already over committed with planning permission existing for 3,596 new homes.

Kath Ludlam, of Ludlam Associates, representing the agents in both the failed applications, criticised the way the planning committee made their decision. She claims it could have a massive impact right across Trafford and on the whole housing industry.

She told the committee: "I can see no justification for this eleventh hour objection."

She also says the figure of six years housing supply, quoted in the committee's refusal of the application is not from RPG13.

Vice chairman of the planning committee Councillor Phil Gratrix said: "We've given planning permission for two blocks on Moss Lane and I've got to say, while imposing, they have a certain charm.

"But this application is for something far larger and far more intrusive on the site, I think it is an application too far and we are in danger of turning this part of Sale into apartment row."

And chairman Councillor Bill Clarke said: "We have been having meetings about affordable housing for some 12 months, we have been making it clear what we are trying to do, so applicants and agents should not be surprised by this decision."