The Liberal Democrats have welcomed a rethink of the controversial Greater Manchester Spatial Framework. Following pressure from Liberal Democrats, the recently elected Greater Manchester Mayor has appointed Salford’s Mayor Paul Dennett to oversee a review and rewrite of the proposals.
As part of the proposals, Saddleworth is at major risk from massive over-development of open spaces for housing in two phases. Phase one grabs large strategic sites like Fletcher’s Mill and neighbouring Green Belt. Phase two focuses dozens of local sites that have been offered by landowners for development and profit across Saddleworth for hundreds of new houses affecting every village.
Many of these sites are in really sensitive open spaces and would have a devastating effect on our local communities if developed. Local Liberal Democrats are encouraging residents to tell the Greater Manchester Mayor that these proposals are not acceptable and must be changed as part of the rethink.
The Liberal Democrats have a clear aspiration for future housing development in Greater Manchester. Cllr Alan Belmore explained: “Development should be on brownfield sites first, particularly sites with outstanding planning permission, coupled with mill and factory conversions to housing and a drive to bring existing empty homes back into occupancy, whenever this is practicable.”