An 'extremely harmful' plan to build three massive warehouses in rural Trafford has been rejected by councillors, who described the destruction of thousands of trees as unacceptable and a betrayal of local residents.

The scheme, proposed by property developer Wain Estates, was for three buildings standing 22 metres high on a site off Isherwood Road in Carrington, Trafford. CGI images showed how the warehouses could look, sparking alarm among residents.

Despite officer recommendations that councillors should back the application, the planning committee voted unanimously to refuse permission after hearing over 60 objections from local people and campaign group Friends of Carrington Moss.

Leading campaigner Lorraine Eagling told the meeting that residents already suffer from HGV traffic, vibrations and congestion, and that the new warehouses would intensify these impacts dramatically. She said: "Communities face increased noise pollution, air pollution, light pollution, dust, vibration, traffic congestion, and pressure on local roads and services."

She appealed directly to councillors, stating: "It is not you or the developer that faces the prospect of a 22 metre high warehouse towering over your home, lowering the value of your home, blocking daylight, operating 24/7, inducing huge volumes of traffic and pollution. It is the homes of the communities who elected you and you represent. Really there should be no debate in this application."

However, planning agent John Coxon, speaking for Wain Estates, said the company had worked for 14 years to regenerate the land, which had previously been a petrochemical site. He argued that viable development was needed to fund remediation and infrastructure, and without it, "the delivery of much needed jobs and family homes will continue to stall". He added that 80 per cent of the site was previously developed, and the scheme included substantial ecological compensation, with a strict management plan for new habitats.

The economic benefits cited by the developer included job creation and millions of pounds being added to the local economy. But councillors were unswayed.

Conservative councillor Meena Minnis was among those unconvinced. She said the size of the warehouses, located just 100 metres from homes, was 'far too big', and the loss of woodland was an 'absolute no no'. She added: "Are you going to plant those trees and wait 20 to 30 years for them to mature before you do this? No, you're not. More trees doesn't mitigate the loss. You can't write an email to these animals and say 'can you wait 20 years and then move along the way because this is a nice new home that we're going to build'. You can't destroy thousands of trees. You just can't. It's not acceptable."

The committee quickly made its position clear, with a proposal to reject the scheme issued just minutes into the debate.

For Oldham readers, this decision carries weight. Across Greater Manchester, including in Oldham, residents often campaign against large warehouse developments that they feel prioritize commercial interests over local quality of life. Issues of traffic, pollution and loss of green spaces are common concerns.

The rejection in Trafford may set a precedent in the region, demonstrating that strong community opposition can influence planning outcomes. In Oldham, where similar debates are ongoing, campaigners may look to this case as a positive example of local democracy in action.