Oldham Council withdraws vote on GMSF

Oldham council has agreed to postpone its vote on the region's controversial development masterplan to 'review the options' for the borough.

The decision comes after it emerged the Greater Manchester Spatial Framework (GMSF) is likely to be rejected in Stockport after crunch talks with the opposition parties failed to reach agreement.

Yesterday the combined authority issued a statement conceding that negotiations in the borough appeared to have come to the end of the road.

The proposals for Oldham, which would see eight sites in the green belt developed, were approved by the cabinet on November 9.

The plans were opposed by opposition parties on the council, but since the Conservative and Liberal Democrat groups are in the minority it was expected to have been voted through, despite some discontent among some Labour members.

But at an extraordinary meeting of the full council on Wednesday night, councillors unanimously agreed to withdraw the plans from the agenda.

No date was put forward for when the council next intends to vote on the blueprint, which outlines where development can take place over the next 17 years.

Moving that they withdraw the GMSF report from the meeting, Councillor Hannah Roberts, cabinet member for housing said: “Given the uncertainty arising from issues and events elsewhere in Greater Manchester, I think it’s right that we review the options and look at what would be best for Oldham rather than proceeding to discuss the report’s recommendations this evening.”

Seconding the withdrawal of the item, council leader Sean Fielding said: “It is clear Oldham council needs a plan in order to determine where housing and employment land development will take place over the next few decades, but we need to review whether this plan is indeed that plan.”

Oldham follows Salford, Trafford, Bury and Rochdale in postponing a vote on the development masterplan, with Stockport expected to vote it down on December 3.

Councillors also agreed to withdraw a report on the Greater Manchester Transport Strategy 2040, the five-year delivery plan 2020-2025 and Oldham Local Implementation Plan.

Coun Barbara Brownridge, cabinet member for neighbourhoods said: “I think it’s bound up with the GMSF and we need to consider how the two documents proceed moving forward so at this time it would be useful not to discuss this proposal.”

Oldham follows Salford, Trafford, Bury and Rochdale in postponing a vote on the development masterplan, with Stockport expected to vote it down on December 3.

However Manchester and Tameside councils have both voted to back the plan.

While a ‘plan of the nine’ can go ahead without Stockport, revised proposals would have to be drawn up, meaning there is likely to be a further significant delay to the beleaguered project. 

Main image:

The latest plan for Oldham under the GMSF. Photo: GMCA.