PM quizzed on green belt plans
SPECULATION is mounting that huge developments on green belt land across Greater Manchester could be radically scaled back - or scrapped altogether - after the Prime Minister dealt the region’s controversial housebuilding plans another blow.
Theresa May reiterated the Tories’ promise that protected spaces are ‘safe in the government’s hands’ when quizzed by one of the region’s MPs about a mammoth plan for 4,000 new homes on fields in Stockport.
Conservative MP for Hazel Grove William Wragg probed the Prime Minister on contentious plans to double the size of a village on his patch.
Residents are up in arms about council chiefs’ proposals for the enormous new neighbourhood on the green belt in High Lane.
Senior sources have told our sister newspaper the M.E.N that some projects across the region could be scaled back and possibly even scrapped altogether.
The mounting speculation over development comes as Mrs May said councils must do everything they can to protect designated green spaces and exhaust all other options before bulldozing them for new homes.
She said she was confident Greater Manchester leaders would listen to the views of scores of residents who have had their say on the housebuilding masterplan.
During Prime Minister’s Questions, Mr Wragg asked: “What assurances can my right honourable friend give to my constituents that the green belt is safe with this government?”
Mrs May said: “I’m very happy to give that commitment to my honourable friend. The government is very clear that the green belt must be protected and very clear that boundaries should only be altered when local authorities have fully examined all other reasonable options.
“If they do go down that route, then they should compensate by improving the quality or accessibility of remaining green belt land so that can be enjoyed.
“I know the particular issue my honourable friend has raised. I believe the Greater Manchester Spatial Framework did lead to quite a number of responses, there was a lot of interest in that consultation.
“It closed last month and I’m sure all those views will be taken into account.”
Hundreds of campaigners have protested against the High Lane plan, with thousands more signing a petition calling for it to be axed.
There are whispers the proposals are likely to be drastically scaled back, if not dropped altogether.
Councillors have refused to approve green belt plans across Stockport, insisting they’ll withdraw from the regionwide plan if proposals for the town aren’t reconsidered.
In other areas, such as Oldham, campaigners have piled on the pressure over green belt plans.
Leaders have previously insisted that to meet demand, green belt development is unavoidable.
But increasingly council sources say a number of proposals on protected land can actually be easily scaled back to quell public outcries.