Anger as ‘powerless’ council reveal plans to build on green belt

Government guidance forces authority to change approach

- BY DECLAN CAREY, LOCAL DEMOCRACY REPORTER

Greenbelt land in High Lane, Stockport, that has been earmarked for development under the Greater Manchester Spatial Framework

WATHES of Stockport are part of the green belt, land designated to limit the expansion of distinct urban areas and stop them merging together.

Keeping the areas apart is what helps them keep their separate identities, and many people in the borough’s towns and villages choose to live there because of access to green spaces.

But that could all be about to change because of a new document published by the council.

Stockport’s draft local plan is a report which outlines the future of development in the borough, including where new houses could be built.

The council revealed its draft local plan this week, which showed 27 areas of land in the green belt are earmarked for future building.

It has caused mixed reactions in the borough, where there are major housing shortages, but also people who want to protect Stockport's green areas for future generations.

For its part, the council said it wants to build on previously developed land first.

Under the Lib Dems who took control of the town hall in May 2022, Stockport council has had a ‘Brownfield first’ approach to housing.

This has led to massive regeneration work focused in the town centre, where there is a £1bn scheme under way which includes building 8,000 new homes.

But last year, when Labour won the general election, Stockport's housing targets were nearly doubled.

This caused a planned consultation on the draft local plan which was ready at the time to be delayed by the town hall.

The situation has left the council in a difficult position.

Mark Roberts, leader of the council, wrote in his foreword to the new draft local plan that the document was prepared ‘with a very heavy heart’