Greater Manchester Spatial Framework moves closer to approval

The Greater Manchester Spatial Framework, the city-region’s plan for housing and economic development, has moved closer to approval after its latest iteration received support of Greater Manchester’s 10 local authority leaders, the Manchester Evening News has reported.

The most recent version of the plan was published on 30th October and outlines areas for commercial and housing development up to 2037. The Spatial Framework details plans for 180,000 new homes to be built across Greater Manchester, a reduction of 47,000 compared to the 2016 plan following the complaints of local councillors and green-belt campaigners.

In the Stockport area, the proposals also include the prospect of an expansion of the Bredbury Park industrial area, albeit smaller than originally set out in 2016, as well as expansion of employment sites at Manchester Airport.

Following its approval by all 10 council leaders, the Greater Manchester Spatial Plan will now be debated on by councillors before a public consultation planned for December 2020.

Greater Manchester Mayor, Andy Burnham hoped that the new plan would be seen as a compromise after taking the many concerns raised by the public into consideration after the Spatial Framework’s 2016 iteration, particularly regarding protecting green spaces. He said:

Over those intervening years we have been listening very closely to what communities have said, and I hope people see that consultation is real.

“But we do now want to bring this matter to a conclusion and agree the GMSF.

We are at a point now where we have to move forward, and there also comes a point where you have to say now that the green belt is better protected by proceeding, rather than continuing to debate these issues.

“I hope today that we can turn some of the negative debate about the GMSF into a much more positive and confident plan for the future of Greater Manchester.”