Green belt consultation cost over £80,000

Andy Kelly supporting green belt campaigners in Newhey

The consultation on the 'Greater Manchester Spatial Framework' cost taxpayers £82,596, a Freedom of Information request by Rochdale Liberal Democrats has revealed.

It is understood the figure doesn't include any of the time and money that the 10 authorities in Greater Manchester incurred - it is only money spent by the Greater Manchester Combined Authority.

A spokesperson for the Greater Manchester Combined Authority said: "Similar costs incurred by districts for local consultation events, local advertising, hire of buildings and staffing, etc. would need to be sought from each of the ten districts involved as the GMCA do not hold this information."

The money was mainly spent on external consultants, including external graphic designers, social media and a press agency.

Andy Kelly, Liberal Democrat Candidate for Rochdale, said: "I said right from the start that this consultation was an expensive waste of time. Now, we have the figures to prove this.

"The original plans were written in consultation with developers and that's why so many people objected to plans that would see towns like Rochdale change forever.

"Why would a developer want to build on a brownfield site, with all the pollution and costs associated with redeveloping mainly industrial sites? They always were going to choose our green belt and this is what was mainly consulted on.

"When the Liberal Democrats came out united against these plans, we were accused by Greater Manchester Conservative Sean Anstee of 'playing politics.'

"Everyone knew that plans written from the 'top down' would not convince communities.

"I think it is should now be up to each and every local council to formulate their own plans to tackle the housing crisis. Any plans must be done in full consultation with residents and include a robust plan to develop brownfield sites."

New Mayor Andy Burnham has promised to re-write the Greater Manchester Spatial Framework and has appointed Salford’s mayor Paul Dennett to start the process.