The Liberal Democrats have started a petition to Oldham council to call on them to withdraw from the Greater Manchester Spatial Framework
At the meeting on 22nd March the Liberal Democrat group proposed a motion calling Oldham Council to withdraw from the Greater Manchester Spatial Framework (GMSF) and to instead develop a local plan for housing and commercial development in the borough. They were frustrated by an amendment that means Oldham will now not withdraw
Saddleworth North Councillor Garth Harkness said “It is frustrating that Labour, lacking the honesty to vote openly for keeping GMSF, ‘amended’ and wrecked our proposal by taking out the resolution to leave. So Labour will wring its hands but make sure our hills are concreted over.”
The Liberal Democrats have begun a petition to call for the withdrawal from the Greater Manchester Spatial Framework
Liberal Democrat Councillor Rod Blyth, Shaw said “Greater Manchester Spatial Framework (GMSF) is fundamentally flawed and will have a detrimental effect on green land in Saddleworth, Royton, Shaw, Crompton and Chadderton. We have seen demonstrations locally and in Manchester against this flawed plan and we would urge people to sign our petition to keep the pressure on.”
Crompton Councillor Dave Murhpy added “We need more homes but green fields should not be despoiled while we have previously developed land, buildings which could be converted, stockpiles of land with planning permission and long-term empty houses, Oldham council should withdraw and develop its own environmentally-friendly Local Plan.”
Saddleworth Councillor Garth Harkness ended by saying “Currently there is one site in Saddleworth in Greenfield but it would be threatened in phase two with thousands of houses on green fields. Lots of‘smaller sites would mean there will be no contribution to the extra roads, school places, health facilities, drainage and so on that will be needed.”