Liberal Democrats oppose new ‘Places for Everyone’ plan

Councillor Howard Sykes MBE

The Liberal Democrat group on Oldham council have opposed the new "Places For Everyone" project which is set to replace the Greater Manchester Spatial Framework.

The plan moved a step forward last night as councillors voted for a proposal to form a joint development plan with 8 of the other Greater Manchester boroughs.

The Liberal Democrats claim the new plan will lead to thousands of new homes being built on Oldham’s Green Belt.

The previous plan was torpedoed by Lib Dem-led Stockport Council last year who refused to endorse the Greater Manchester Spatial Framework saying the plan "hould not be a "licence to concrete over the countryside".

At Wednesday’s meeting (24/03/21), Oldham’s Liberal Democrat opposition voted en-bloc against the recommendations of the report, but the Council approved the recommendations.

Leader of the Opposition and Liberal Democrat Group Leader, Councillor Howard Sykes MBE, said:  “Obviously for us this is a disappointing result, but this is only the start of a long process.  A new plan will eventually be developed that will again be put out to public consultation, and I would urge any members of the public and any organisation campaigning to save our Green Belt to put in their objections at that time.”

"Oldham’s Liberal Democrats will continue to oppose this Greater Manchester plan and fight for a local plan that is framed by local people and meets our borough’s needs.  We are opposed to any Green Belt development and want a plan that is focused upon building new homes only on Brown Field sites or by repurposing redundant factories, mills, shops and pubs to quality housing.”

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