Second draft of Greater Manchester Spatial Framework expected to be published in June 2018

Greater Manchester Spatial Framework

The second draft of the Greater Manchester Spatial Framework is expected to be published in June 2018, Wednesday’s (13 December) council meeting heard.

Presented during Councillor Daalat Ali’s report as Portfolio Holder for Planning & Development, the draft plan will be developed in the new year, with a view to publishing it in June 2018.

Councillor Ali said: “Following publication of the draft plan, there will be a further 12-week consultation with the public. We will keep Members updated on this process over the coming months.”

The GM Spatial Framework is planning for more significant levels of growth across Greater Manchester and the scale of growth requires the identification of strategic sites outside the urban areas which may require release of land from the Green Belt.

The first draft proposed more than 15,000 houses to be developed across the Rochdale borough in Bamford and Norden, Roch Valley in Smallbridge, Trows Farm in Castleton, land to the north east of Smithy Bridge and land at Lane End to the east of Heywood, plus 120 houses in Milnrow and Newhey, and a further 1,400 houses across the River Beal in Shaw.

https://www.rochdaleonline.co.uk/news-features/2/news-headlines/106035/public-consultation-for-proposed-development-sites-across-the-borough-opens

Following the Greater Manchester mayoral election earlier this year, the newly-elected Mayor Andy Burnham confirmed that he would rework the Greater Manchester Spatial Framework to include more emphasis on affordable homes, fringe towns, and a significant reduction in plans to build on Green Belt.

https://www.rochdaleonline.co.uk/news-features/2/news-headlines/112762/greater-manchester-mayor-andy-burnham-refocuses-planning-debate-on-town-centres

A first draft of the proposal was submitted in January, with hundreds opposing the plans at Green Belt rallies across Manchester.

https://www.rochdaleonline.co.uk/news-features/2/news-headlines/109221/hundreds-at-green-belt-rally-opposing-the-greater-manchester-spatial-framework

https://www.rochdaleonline.co.uk/news-features/138/community-news/107616/public-meeting-objecting-gmsf-proposals-fills-newhey-lodge

https://www.rochdaleonline.co.uk/news-features/138/community-news/107412/hundreds-turn-out-for-save-bamford-green-belt-ramble

https://www.rochdaleonline.co.uk/news-features/2/news-headlines/107259/thousands-join-in-greenbelt-development-protest

The redrafted spatial framework will aim to make the most of Greater Manchester’s brownfield sites and reduce the impact on greenbelt, making sure that we capitalise on our existing town centres and transport links. The plan will ensure the right mix of homes across the city region, including truly affordable housing to allow young people to find a home in communities where they want to live.

More than 27,000 people responded to the initial consultation on the draft GMSF. Responses included around 17,000 letters and 18 separate petitions, as well as thousands of comments made through the GMSF consultation portal.