Every submission to Greater Manchester homes and jobs plan to be considered

Around 25,000 responses have been submitted to the draft plan's consultation from residents, interest groups, developers and other agencies.

Cllr Richard Farnell, GMCA Lead for Planning and Housing said:  “I want to thank each and every person who has responded to our consultation.   There is strong support for a Greater Manchester plan for jobs and homes and the level of response has shown that people in every borough are willing to engage with and shape our plan for homes and jobs.  This is a real conversation about the future of Greater Manchester – and we are listening.

“It’s clear that many people across Greater Manchester have strong feelings about this plan. That’s something we recognise and will respond to. We will not ignore what you are telling us – and we will consider every single submission and look at where changes can and should be made.

“While the vast majority of the plan proposes building within the urban area, including on brownfield sites, I know there are concerns around potential development on specific sites designated as green belt.  I also understand that people want to see more detail on our plans for brownfield regeneration, infrastructure and transport to support this plan.

“There are a range of opinions on the draft plan, with some groups asking for development to be scaled back, and others campaigning for more development in Greater Manchester. That spectrum means we will not be able to address every concern. But I’m confident that by working together with local people we can create a plan that ensures future generations can find a decent home, with great transport links, in a Greater Manchester which respects and nurtures its natural resources.”

In the light of the level of consultation responses received and the further work needed it will be recommended to Greater Manchester Leaders that consultation on the next stage of the plan should be moved to September. The regulations require a formal consultation of at least 6 weeks. It will be proposed that all future consultations on the plan for homes and jobs will be for double that period, 12 weeks.

Greater Manchester’s plan for homes and jobs identifies;

•           The housing and employment land needed in Greater Manchester up to year 2035.

•           Investment opportunities in health, education and transport services to help support local communities.

•           How the local natural environment will be protected and improved.

•           More specifically it will boost the economy and create new jobs and opportunities across Greater Manchester.

The benefits to Greater Manchester are:

•           227,200 new homes built.

•           Hundreds of thousands of new jobs created.

•           Opportunities for new business development.

•           Improved transport links.

Over 2,600 responses were submitted through Objective the online consultation portal.  In addition approximately 16,500 letters and 8,000 email representations were received. Early analysis indicates that over 90 per cent of responses were regarding sites rather than the overall Spatial Framework strategy and thematic areas.

The draft Greater Manchester Spatial Framework document was accessed over 50,000 times from the GMCA web site and a similar number accessed the information documents available on the consultation portal.

Over 80 public events were held across Greater Manchester where residents and others could find out more about the draft Spatial Framework. The events were well attended with many recording hundreds of attendees.  The extension to the consultation period from 23 December to 16 January gave the opportunity for additional events to be run in local areas and thousands of further submissions to be received.