PLANS to build a high technology business park on open land at Davenport Green, Hale, may never go ahead - even though Trafford planners have given it the all clear.

Developers APSL have to meet a number of stringent legal requirements before they can proceed - including one that they acquire the freehold of the whole of the 335 acre site.

But a number of local people who own small parts of the site have said they are not prepared to sell, Trafford's development control committee has heard.

Chairman Cllr Bill Clarke said: "If the developer can't get control of all the land the scheme won't go ahead."

Outline consent has been given for buildings with floorspace of 500,000 sq ft for office, research or high technology industrial development on a 90 acre site within the larger area of land.

The rest of the land would be kept as open parkland, including a working farm and a series of ponds which will provide wildlife habitats.

One of the conditions which must be met is that the buildings must be occupied by companies of national or international importance who will offer substantial new employment opportunities which would otherwise be lost to Greater Manchester.

The scheme was opposed by Manchester City Council, Manchester Airport, Friends of the Earth and numerous local action groups and landowners.

Cllr Ann Bowker expressed concern that 'green' land around Trafford was disappearing. She said: "Surely a brown field site could be found."

And Cllr Mike Cragg, predicted traffic congestion and air pollution. He said: "This spells absolute disaster for the area. We will lose a green buffer between two built up areas. Hale and Bowdon will be swallowed up in a massive spread of suburbia."

But Cllr Philip Gratrix said: "I think this will be a good thing for the green belt. There has been far too much erosion of it and this will ensure more than 75 per cent of the site is protected and open to the public."

Tory councillors urged a decision should be delayed on the grounds there has been insufficient time for members to study the implications of the application.

But the committee approved the proposals by a vote of 7-5.

Cllr Barry Hepburn accused Labour of doing a u-turn on the issue. He said:"Originally they were bitterly opposed to any development at Davenport Green. When they came into power they tried to stop it, but found they couldn't.

"Now they seem to be going out of their way to by-pass the stringent conditions which are intended to protect local residents."

Converted for the new archive on 13 March 2001. Some images and formatting may have been lost in the conversion.