Consultation on Controversial Greater Manchester Housing Plan Launched

Local residents are being encouraged to give their views on Greater Manchester’s Plan for Homes, Jobs and the Environment after it was approved by Greater Manchester Leaders.

There is controversy over how much greenbelt land it’s proposed could be used in Oldham.

Just over 14,000 homes are planned to be built in the region before 2037, which is up by almost 600 from the previous plan.

The total amount of greenbelt in Oldham which is being allocated for building is down from 3.1 to 2.6 per cent from the framework originally proposed in 2016.

 The consultation for the Greater Manchester Spatial Framework (GMSF) will be open from Monday 14 January until Monday 18 March 2019.

You can give your views on the new Plan for Homes, Jobs and the Environment here: http://www.gmconsult.org.

Planning chiefs have attempted to make the most of Greater Manchester’s brownfield sites, with priority given to redeveloping town centres and other sustainable locations.

It’s hoped it will also address the housing crisis, with a minimum target of 50,000 extra affordable homes – 30,000 of which will be social housing.

The net loss of green belt has been reduced by more than half and the city-region has made clear its opposition to fracking as part of the radical approach that Greater Manchester is taking to environmental policy. 

Transport and wider infrastructure will be critical to the success of this new plan, so Leaders have also published Greater Manchester’s 2040 Transport Strategy Delivery Plan alongside it. 

This plan sets out all the transport improvements to be implemented by 2025, as well as longer-term plans that will support the GMSF.

This coordinated, strategic approach also helps Greater Manchester make the case to government for additional funding to invest in the city-region’s transport and infrastructure network.

Mayor of Greater Manchester, Andy Burnham said: “After the first spatial framework consultation in 2016 we listened to the public and I ensured this plan was radically rewritten and bold in its ambitions. 

“We are ready to listen again to the views people have on this plan and take account of them.

“The plan sets out to lay the foundations for radical reform across housing, growing our economy and creating jobs, the environment, and transport to ensure Greater Manchester continues to thrive.

“With the support of local people, we will be able to build a Greater Manchester that will allow everyone to grow up, get on and grow old.”

Portfolio lead for housing, planning and homelessness Paul Dennett said: "This is an exciting time for Greater Manchester, as we begin on a project that improves the city region for generations to come.

“We want to make sure we get this right - to grow in a sustainable way whilst also making the city region more resilient.

“To support this we have made sure that included in our plans are 50,000 addition affordable homes – 30,000 of which will be social housing.”