Next steps in Greater Manchester Spatial Framework announced

Next steps in Greater Manchester Spatial Framework announced

A timeframe for the development and publication of the second draft of the Greater Manchester Spatial framework has been discussed by the Mayor of Greater Manchester, Salford City Mayor and the leaders of Greater Manchester’s councils.

The framework is a joint plan for Greater Manchester that will provide the land for jobs and new homes across the city region, setting out ambitious plans as we seek to make Greater Manchester one of the best places in the world.

The framework is a huge part of securing the future success of Greater Manchester as we build a powerhouse of the North which reaches its full potential.

The second draft will take into account concerns raised by some members of the public during the first consultation period, and will aim to make the most of Greater Manchester’s brownfield sites and reduce the impact on greenbelt.

Paul Dennett, City Mayor of Salford and Greater Manchester Combined Authority lead member for housing, planning and homelessness, said:

“The Mayor of Greater Manchester and council leaders have discussed the next steps for the Greater Manchester Spatial Framework.

“To do justice to the 27,000 responses received as part of the initial consultation, and to demonstrate continued trust and transparency in the process, we agreed a timetable with a series of steps leading up to the publication of the revised plan.

“This process will start in September with the publication of the responses to the initial consultation. This will be followed later in the year by the publication of data and associated sources of information such as population estimates which will help us calculate the requirements for housing and employment. Some of this information isn’t yet available, for example we are waiting for the government to publish its national methodology for calculating housing need, which we expect will now be released in the autumn.

“The second draft of the plan will be developed in the new year, with a view to publish it in June 2018. Following publication of the draft plan, there will be a 12-week consultation with the public.

“We will, of course, continue to listen to and engage with the public as the new draft of the plan is developed, as well as keeping the public updated on progress.”

Councillor Eamonn O’Brien, who took over responsibility for Bury Council’s approach to the Spatial Framework in May said:

"We are fully supportive of the GM Mayor's approach which will aim to reduce the level of green belt lost, add new land into the green belt and focus on development of brownfield sites first for housing and employment land.

“Although the Spatial Framework is a Government led initiative it is important that we stamp a local mark on it which best suits the needs of our population.

“Later on this year the Government are going to produce a new formula which will work out how many new homes Bury will need in the coming years. This will influence how much land will be required. As a result, before a new draft of the plan is produced, we need time to consider this new formula and what it means for Bury.

“Bury Council is committed to prioritising the development of brownfield land to meet housing need as well as providing as much affordable housing as possible.

“A new draft of the plan should be available in June 2018 which will then be subject to a full 12 week public consultation.”

The Greater Manchester Spatial Framework, which is being produced by all 10 councils working together in partnership, will ensure that we have the right land available in the right places to deliver the homes and jobs we need up to 2035, and will identify the new infrastructure such as transport, schools, health centres and utility networks required to achieve this. By working in a coordinated way, we can ensure the right decisions can be taken both locally and at a Greater Manchester level.

It will give Greater Manchester the chance to ensure there is 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. Making the most of brownfield sites, it will also set out how we enhance and protect the quality of the natural environment, conserve wildlife and tackle flood risks, so that we can accommodate growth sustainably.