MP in greenbelt plea over new homes plan
AGREATER Manchester MP has pleaded with his own government to protect green-belt land across the region from ‘over-zealous’ town hall plans for thousands of new homes.
Hazel Grove MP William Wragg has called on ministers to do everything they can to force councils not to build on green space – and instead use former industrial brownfield land.
The Tory MP said building on protected green belt land was, in many cases, contrary to the wishes of residents, and urged town hall chiefs to ensure the mammoth housing drive in Greater Manchester is ‘sympathetic and sensitive’.
He is currently gathering signatures for a petition calling on the region’s leaders to avoid large scale residential development on green space.
Bosses at all ten Greater Manchester councils have drawn up joint plans for an unprecedented housebuilding programme over the next 20 years – and some of them, will ‘inevitably’ have to be on protected open space, according to insiders.
At least 80 of the sites suggested by developers are on green belt.
Stockport council in particular will have no choice but to sanction building on countryside due to a lack of other sites, it is understood.
The region’s combined authority has concluded around 225,000 new homes will be required across the region by 2035 if it is to meet demand and grow the economy.
In some boroughs, such as Stockport, there is a distinct lack of available brownfield land, but plenty of large patches of farmland and fields.
Speaking at a House of Commons debate of the Neighbourhood Planning Bill, Mr Wragg said the plans were ‘over-zealous’
He said he was ‘deeply concerned’ about the threat to countryside once massive developments are given the green-light.
Mr Wragg said: “There are also significant doubts as to whether local infrastructure of roads and amenities, which already struggle with existing demands, can support such large scale building programmes.
“The fact is we need more housing. However, the areas which should be developed first are brownfield sites.
“Stockport has many of these sites which have not yet been developed for housing.
“Community engagement is vital so that while we build the homes and infrastructure we need, it is done in a way that is sympathetic.”