I have made a formal submission to the consultation on the draft Greater Manchester Spatial Framework (GMSF) to the Greater Manchester Combined Authority, which is the body of ten local councils, including Stockport, who are responsible for the GMSF.
Below is a summary of my main points. You can read my full submission on my in the pdf at the bottom of the page.
I know that many people have responded to the consultation and I am grateful to those who have shared their submissions with me. The strength of local feeling is clear: Greenbelt land should be protected from residential development and brownfield sites should be prioritised.
The Greater Manchester Combined Authority must reconsider its approach to the Greater Manchester Spatial Framework. This should not simply consist of tinkering at the edges; instead they should go back to the drawing board.
I will continue to represent your views and work to protect our greenbelt. Thank you to everyone who has supported my campaign.
William Wragg MP - GMSF Consultation Submission – Executive Summary
· The strength of local opinion is clear to see, the voices from not only my own, but neighbouring constituencies, are clear: the greenbelt should be safeguarded, and previously developed land (brownfield sites) should instead be prioritised for housing. Greenbelt should not be used for housing development on the scale currently being proposed in the Draft Framework.
· We need to provide new homes in order to fill the housing shortage, but this should be done in a way which is sensitive to both the local environment and the wishes of local communities.
· I and the thousands who signed local petitions are not against house building; but we believe brownfield sites which have had development on them previously, should be prioritised for the building of houses, and not greenbelt. This not only protects the countryside, but focuses development where regeneration is needed and where the necessary infrastructure already exists.
· I call on the Combined Authority to defend the robustness of its population growth forecasting, as it moves towards finalising the Framework. The Combined Authority should also confirm whether, in deriving the figure for housing need, it took as its basis actual projected need, or an aspirational need, based on projected economic growth above the national average.
· Greenbelt land is designated the following reasons:
o The greenbelt is a vital barrier to urban sprawl and is hugely valued by local people.
o Our local roads, infrastructure, and transport capacity already struggle with existing demands. These proposals for massive developments in rural areas will only make matters worse.
o The greenbelt encourages regeneration of our towns and makes best use of our land.
o Greenbelt protects the countryside and all the benefit that brings.
· The redevelopment and reuse of land in urban areas, so called brownfield sites, should take priority over greenbelt sites. If we make sites in the greenbelt available now, then the opportunity for real regeneration in Stockport, and other Greater Manchester towns, will be lost for a generation.
· Greater Manchester has at least 1,000 hectares of brownfield land spread across 439 sites which have not yet been fully developed for housing, enough to build at least 55,000 homes, and it is likely more such land can be found.
· The Combined Authority should urgently review what can be done to reduce the amount of ‘land banking’ across all its constituent boroughs so that brownfield sites can be developed as a priority, and to incorporate such measures into the GMSF.
· The need to release any greenbelt land, as currently proposed in the Draft Framework, should be reassessed in light of these steps taken to prioritise the development and regeneration of urban brownfield land of which there is a demonstrably significant supply.
· The Combined Authority must give much more regard to the availability and capacity of current amenities in areas where developments are proposed by the Framework, and ensure that these services and infrastructure will not be overloaded, or that new such amenities are fully included in development proposals.
My full detailed submission to the Greater Manchester Combined Authority on the Greater Manchester Spatial Framework can be found on this webpage.
There is still time to have your say too! The public consultation is open until 16th January 2017. For more information see the Combined Authority’s consultation page here.