Councillors in Stockport have voted to defer their decision on approving the latest iteration of the Greater Manchester Spatial Framework.
The plan sets out the city-region’s ambitions for housing and economic development through to 2037, but has been criticised for the potential loss of green belt land, particularly in Stockport where it expects 1700 new homes in Heald Green, 500 in High Lane and 750 in Woodford could be built in the next 17 years. The Spatial Framework has been redrawn twice due to concerns from across Greater Manchester of over-development. The plan’s latest version saw a proposed expansion to Bredbury Park Industrial Estate reduced in size due to local concerns.
Councillors voted 37 for and 26 against deferring their decision on the plans in a virtual meeting on 17th November. Deferment was backed by Labour, Conservative and Independent groups. Hazel Grove MP, William Wragg, whose constituency includes many of the areas earmarked for development, urged his Conservative colleagues on the council to reject the plan entirely.
Leader of Stockport Council, Cllr Elise Wilson proposed the deferment following discussion with Greater Manchester Mayor Andy Burnham and after reaching out to opposition groups to work constructively on addressing their concerns. She said during the council meeting:
Given the importance of the Greater Manchester Spatial Framework and how the implications will define our borough for years to come, I feel it’s justifiable to ask for the time to work through the details of their concerns and to see what more could be done.”
Deferring the decision will now give local leaders and representatives the opportunity to rethink proposals in Stockport and reach a consensus on moving forward with the Greater Manchester Spatial Framework. Amended proposals will be brought forward before the Council in the next two to three weeks following discussion with councillors from the Conservative and Heald Green Independent Ratepayer groups. Liberal Democrat councillors opposed the deferment.
In a joint statement, Andy Burnham, Mayor of Greater Manchester and Cllr Elise Wilson, Leader of Stockport Council said:
This is a welcome decision and we would like to thank the Conservative and Independent groups for taking this constructive approach. This extra time will enable us to make further changes to the Greater Manchester Spatial Framework that address the concerns raised by Stockport residents and councillors. Whilst this will not be a long delay it is important that we make the plan as good as it can possibly be.”
The Greater Manchester Spatial Framework has been agreed by council leaders in a GMCA meeting, and now must be voted on by all ten local authorities in the city-region before it can be put to a public consultation, which had been expected to take place in December 2020.