![Greater Manchester Spatial Framework - drop in events will be held across Stockport](https://i0.wp.com/marketingstockport.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2018/07/Greater-Manchester-.jpg?resize=640%2C400&ssl=1)
Greater Manchester Mayor Andy Burnham and Leader of Stockport Council, Cllr Elise Wilson, have warned of the increased risks to greenbelt in Stockport should the borough vote to withdraw from the Greater Manchester Spatial Framework (GMSF).
In an open to letter to Stockport residents, published on Twitter, the two Labour politicians restated the case for the GMSF, the future of which is in jeopardy as negotiations with Conservative and independent councillors over reallocation of greenbelt land for housing continue. Concessions on proposals for 500 new homes appear to have already been made to help secure support for the plan that sets out areas for housing and commercial development until 2038, however there is continued opposition over planned developments in Bredbury, Woodley, Offerton and Heald Green.
Mayor Andy Burnham and Cllr Elise Wilson sought to remind local residents that the GMSF allows all 10 local authorities in Greater Manchester to combine and share their housing targets. Because of this shared allocation, 5,000 fewer homes are being built in Stockport than might otherwise be necessary to meet government targets as these can be delivered elsewhere in the city-region
The pair argues that withdrawing entirely from the GMSF, as proposed by Liberal Democrat councillors in the borough, would require greater development of greenbelt sites than are currently proposed in order for the borough to meet its housebuilding targets. Included in Mayor Burnham and Cllr Wilson’s letter was a map (shown below) comparing the areas that may be required for development should the borough exclude itself from current plans (left) and within the GMSF (right).
![Greenbelt land that may be reallocated for housing under GMSF (right) versus the areas at risk should Stockport need to meet housing targets alone (left)](https://i0.wp.com/marketingstockport.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2020/11/Greenbelt-land-that-may-be-reallocated-for-housing-under-GMSF-right-versus-the-areas-at-risk-should-Stockport-need-to-meet-housing-targets-alone-left.png?resize=466%2C188&ssl=1)
There are not sufficient brownfield sites to meet the borough’s housing needs alone, and would minimise suitable sites for commercial development.
Stockport Council deferred a vote on the GMSF last week to allow time for last-ditch negotiations between GMCA and greenbelt campaigners and opposition councillors to secure the future of the plan. Greenbelt sites earmarked for housing in Stockport have already been amended from previous iterations of the GMSF in response to concerns from local residents.
Mayor Andy Burnham and Cllr Elise Wilson’s letter is in full below.
![GM Mayor and Council Leader warn of further greenbelt loss in Stockport without GMSF](https://i0.wp.com/marketingstockport.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2020/11/GM-Mayor-and-Council-Leader-warn-of-further-greenbelt-loss-in-Stockport-without-GMSF.png?resize=900%2C650&ssl=1)