Places for Everyone reaches final stage of consultation

• Final stage of consultation for Places for Everyone launches today
• Series of main modifications by Inspectors following examination process are subject to consultation
• Focus of the consultation is the proposed modifications to the joint plan, and the associated Sustainability Appraisal and Habitats Regulations Assessment
• People encouraged to respond to the modifications on the plan before 6 December

The final stage of consultation for Places for Everyone, the plan for new homes, jobs, and sustainable growth in Greater Manchester, launches today (11 October).

Places for Everyone is the long-term plan of nine Greater Manchester districts (Bolton, Bury, Manchester, Oldham, Rochdale, Salford, Tameside, Trafford and Wigan).

The plan is a joint development plan of the nine districts which will determine the kind of development that takes place in their boroughs, maximising the use of brownfield land and urban spaces while protecting Green Belt land from the risk of unplanned development.

It will also ensure all new developments are sustainably integrated into Greater Manchester’s transport network or supported by new infrastructure.

This final stage of consultation on the plan will look at the proposed changes to the document that was submitted to the Secretary of State for examination by the Planning Inspectorate in February 2022.

People and organisations who have previously contributed to past consultations have had the opportunity to participate in the examination process, which has meant that every element of the draft plan has been scrutinised to make sure it’s a sound plan for the future.

Following a rigorous and independent examination process, the Inspectors have recommended that a series of 'Main Modifications' are necessary to make the plan sound and legally compliant, and have requested that these should be subject to consultation.

The Main Modifications that have emerged through the examination process are the basis for the consultation launched today. It is normal for the outcome of a local plan examination to be that Inspectors recommend Main Modifications. Whilst there are many proposed Main Modifications, including amending the plan period from 2020 to 2037 to 2022 to 2039, the vision and ambition from across the nine Districts remain.

A Main Modifications Schedule, Composite Plan and Schedule of Policies Map Changes have all been prepared. A Sustainability Appraisal and Habitats Regulations Assessment of the Main Modifications have been carried out. These are the subject of this consultation on the proposed modifications.

The proposed modifications have been approved for consultation by each of the nine Councils between the 21^st September and 5^th October 2023.

Paul Dennett, Mayor of Salford City Council and GMCA Portfolio lead for Places for Everyone said “This is a key milestone in a meticulous and detailed process which has been carried out with care and precision. I’m exceptionally proud of the journey we’ve been on to reach this final consultation. Voices of our residents and partners across Greater Manchester have helped to shape the future we’re working towards.

“As we move into this next phase, we can set our sights on the end goal which is our vision to tackle inequalities across our region.

“I want to continue to thank the Inspectors and everyone involved in this process since we began in August 2014 with a vision to ensure we work towards meeting housing need and making sure residents and families in Greater Manchester have a place to call home.”

The consultation launches today (Wednesday 11 October) and runs for 8 weeks, closing at 11:59pm on 6 December.

To make a response visit https://www.gmconsult.org/pfe/mainmods2023/

More information about Places for Everyone can be found here - Places For Everyone - Greater Manchester Combined Authority

Article Published: 11/10/2023 10:59 AM