GMSF is no more, leaders agree to a plan of nine without Stockport

Greater Manchester leaders have confirmed that the latest version of the regional spatial framework is dead after Stockport rejected the long-delayed plans.

The remaining nine boroughs will now pursue a new masterplan to try and salvage their vision for providing jobs and housing across the city-region by 2037.

Several councils postponed votes on the GMSF after Stockport initially deferred their decision before opposition groups rose up to vote against it on 3 December.

Read more: ‘It’s dead’: Rochdale’s vote on Greater Manchester’s development masterplan droppedPublished: 09 December 2020

Read more: Stockport votes against controversial ‘spatial framework’ masterplan, leaving region’s flagship development blueprint in doubtPublished: 04 December 2020

Development of the green belt, as well as the potential impact on traffic and local services, was ‘too high a price to pay’ according to one councillor.

Stockport was described as a ‘prime beneficiary’ of the GMSF, which would have seen 4,862 homes required in the borough to be built in neighbouring areas under the plan.

The council must now draw up a new local plan that will need to take this demand into account, and there are concerns that more of the borough’s green belt will be at the mercy of developers.

Council leader Councillor Elise Wilson has reiterated that Stockport remains a ‘committed member’ of the combined authority and would continue to support other joint projects.

But the Greater Manchester executive board heard that a joint development plan for the region was still needed, with leaders asked to support a ‘plan of nine’.

Mayor Andy Burnham, speaking at the meeting on Friday, said: “Though it is difficult to lose one of the 10, it nevertheless holds that the logic of the Greater Manchester Spatial Framework, as was, remains.”

Planning regulations allow for a joint plan like the GMSF to continue even after a local authority withdraws so long as it has ‘substantially the same effect’ on the remaining councils as the original plan.

This means that the combined authority’s plan to have a greater control on what land is suitable for different kinds of development – first mooted in 2016 – will be delayed once more.

Despite this Salford city mayor and council leader Paul Dennett said: “The rationale for the development of a joint development plan remains.

 ”This is integral to our recovery plan from Covid-19, to sustain and create new jobs and to lead the way in terms of that green economic recovery, and importantly to continue our agenda to avoid unplanned development within the city-region.

“Development by appeal can cost local authorities dearly if they don’t’ ensure they have their five-year land supply that meets housing needs.”

The recommendation to pursue a new joint plan was approved by the leaders of Salford, Manchester, Trafford, Tameside, Oldham, Rochdale, Bury, Bolton and Wigan.

A joint committee with delegated authority to coordinate and shape the new plan will be set up on behalf of the local authorities.

Read more: Talks over future of GMSF to continue after Stockport’s rejectionPublished: 08 December 2020

Niall Griffiths, Local Democracy Reporting Service