Protecting our precious green belt is a key issue for me, one I remain especially passionate about. So when in October, I had sight of the proposals outlined in the Greater Manchester Spatial Framework to develop 8,100 houses on Cheadle's precious green, I was shocked and angry. See my campaign updates below;
- At the end of December, I presented my petition to the House of Commons on the Greater Manchester Spatial Framework against these proposals and I am grateful to the 3,600 concerned residents who took the time to sign the petition. You can watch the presentation of my presentation to the House of Commons on my Facebook page, here.
- In Parliament, I have been championing the importance of having local voices heard in the planning process, and pressed the Government to improve this in the passage of the Neighbourhood Planning Bill. You can read my contribution here.
- Last year, I joined MPs from across Greater Manchester in a debate opposing the spatial framework. Read my contribution to that debate here.
- Calling for a local Brownfield site register. We need a plan with a real vision for our area. I call for the development of brownfield sites so that communities can enjoy the additional investment from regeneration projects and avoid the loss of our natural landscape and precious green belt. I am pleased that the Council has now done this. Read more here.
The Greater Manchester Spatial Framework consultation closed on the 16th January 2017, I have written to the Greater Manchester Combined Authority to raise my strong objections and that of my constituents.
There will be another period of consultation where residents will be able to have their say, but I sincerely hope the Combined Authority will listen to the many people who responded to this consultation and publish a revised proposal that reflects the feelings of local people.
You can still visit the Greater Manchester Combined Authority website where you can view the plans in detail here.