Opposition councillors blast government decision on PfE

Councillors in Oldham have blasted a government decision as ‘undemocratic’ and ‘shameful’ after a minister rejected a request to withdraw from a divisive housing scheme. 

The criticism came after the Ministry for Housing, Communities and Local Government told Oldham there was ‘no justification’ for the authority to leave Places for Everyone on Tuesday (April 8). 

Last summer, Oldham joined the Greater Manchester agreement that provides a blueprint for tens of thousands of new homes and developments across the region. 

Yet the scheme sparked controversy among opposition councillors, who voted to request to withdraw in February 2025 over fears the borough would lose ‘invaluable green belt land’. 

Oldham’s Labour group, who argue the PfE scheme affords the green belt ‘more protection’, supported the government’s decision to keep Oldham as part of PfE. 

But Oldham’s Liberal Democrat group leader Howard Sykes said: “The Labour Government’s decision to go against the democratic decision of Oldham Council is a betrayal that the people of Oldham Borough will not forget or forgive.

“This is now clearly the end of the road and Oldham Borough is stuck with PfE.  We and others have taken this as far as we can.  Time, I think will show we were right, and I predict that we will be forced to provide more land including Green Belt for development in the very near future.”

Conservative councillors also expressed dismay, with St James councillor Beth Sharp saying: “What Labour has done is render our democratic vote null and void and silenced the voices of residents in St. James’ and elsewhere who face years of misery as well as the loss of our precious Green Belt.

“This is an utter disgrace.”

Meanwhile independent councillor Marc Hince, who ran on local issues including an opposition against the development of a number of greenbelt sites in Shaw, said he was ‘saddened and frustrated’ but would ‘continue to fight for green spaces’. 

The Ministry did not wish to comment on specific responses to the government decision. The letter, signed by minister Matthew Pennycook on behalf of the secretary of state Angela Rayner, argued ‘PfE is an example of authorities doing the right thing’ as the government calls on Local Authorities to quickly develop comprehensive housing plans to combat the housing crisis. 

Coun Elaine Taylor, Oldham’s deputy leader and Cabinet Member for Decent Homes said: “We’re grateful the Government have seen through the reckless attempts made by the Liberal Democrats and Conservatives to put our greenbelt at risk. 

“As far as the administration is concerned this we agree with the Government that this is the right decision for Oldham

“Places for Everyone is a brownfield first plan that protects 97.5% of greenbelt in Oldham and will deliver much needed homes for our residents, it’s our job now to make sure we deliver.”