Rochdale Lib Dems call for postponement of Green Belt consultation

Rochdale Liberal Democrats have called for the postponement of the Greater Manchester Spatial Framework (GMSF) consultations, which are due to start on 1 December.

The controversial plans, which include building in Rochdale’s green belt areas, are set to go out to public consultation over the eight weeks including the Christmas period.

Councillor Andy Kelly, leader of the local Lib Dem group said: “It seems foolhardy to put such a vital piece of consultation to the public during a pandemic and over the Christmas period. But to do so straight after a national lockdown with the threat of a longer extension is massively irresponsible in our view.”

“This is the worst possible time for the most important decision in years. The general public are facing enormous pressures at the moment. Aside from the risk of Covid-19 itself; loneliness, isolation, job losses, redundancy and rising food prices are all very real distractions from this issue.

“It feels like it’s being put through via the back door, when people cannot meet in public to view plans, to ask officers or to share opinions. People are rightly focussed on their families. It is a disgrace to even call this a consultation.

“These plans are already three years late, so postponing them another two or three months will make very little difference.”

Rochdale council leader Allen Brett takes an entirely different view – and says it is time to finally get the spatial framework over the line.

He said: “This has now been going on for years. He (Councillor Kelly) has had plenty of opportunity to put forward his view, he just wants to complain. He isn’t interested in consultation, he just wants to say no to the plan.”

Councils across Greater Manchester are due to vote on the plans later this month with at least one council posing the possibility of pulling out at the last minute.

Rochdale Lib Dem environment spokesperson Kate Clegg added: “[It is] The wrong plan, at the wrong time.

“We do need more homes, the high quality and affordable homes that people need, but absolutely must not lose our precious green spaces. As our experience this year has told us, we need our open spaces more than ever. Our precious green belt land must be protected with development restricted to existing sites and brownfield land.

“GMSF’s housing need numbers are based on 2014 numbers. Since then we have had Brexit and we are in recession. Both will have a massive impact on our future economy and housing need. In addition, the Government’s White Paper ‘Planning for the Future’ sets out the new way that local plans will be drawn up and new ways that housing numbers will be calculated.

“It is crazy to proceed with GMSF when the rules are so clearly about to change.”

Rochdale Council is set to vote on the GMSF proposals on Thursday 25 November.

The GMCA has been contacted for comment.