Greater Manchester Spatial Framework proposals: Councillor Richard Farnell criticised over ‘lack of transparency’

Councillor Richard Farnell criticised over a ‘lack of transparency’

Councillor Richard Farnell has been criticised over a ‘lack of transparency’ about Greater Manchester Spatial Framework proposals for Milnrow and Newhey.

Councillor Andy Kelly called the public consultation on the Greater Manchester Spatial Framework ‘shambolic’ after it was revealed that along with 120 houses that are being considered for Great Belt land in Milnrow and Newhey, a further 1,400 houses are proposed across the River Beal in Shaw.

He said: "At the public consultation last week, residents heard that in addition to industrial developments, around 120 houses were being considered for green belt land in Milnrow and Newhey. That was only a small part of the story however. What it didn’t say was that along with almost half a million square metres of commercial space, around 1,400 houses are being considered just across the River Beal in the Shaw area of Oldham.

“Residents need to be aware of this. The fact of the matter is that there is no joined up thinking with other authorities. In the meantime, I am working with my counterpart, Councillor Howard Sykes, in Oldham to ensure that residents see the whole picture. Residents can make a decision on how they react accordingly.

"Local people in the area are more concerned with traffic congestion (bottleneck at Kiln Lane and Jubilee Bridge), ongoing flooding problems that will be exacerbated by further developments, the effect on services and the overall air quality in the ward due to the congestion on the M62."

“It’s Council Leader Richard Farnell’s lack of transparency and failure to recognise Borough boundaries that is making this consultation so shambolic. He’s getting an extra £5,000 a year to control the consultation across Greater Manchester.

"I’m very concerned that the Greater Manchester Spatial Framework (GMSF) has not given residents enough time to respond to the consultation, nor that they have been given the full picture. This is the biggest planning decision we have to make since the Second World War and it has to be right."

Councillor Farnell failed to comment when invited to do so.