The examination of the Places for Everyone Scheme kicked off this week as inspectors looked to dive into various issues surrounding the strategy to build 165,000 homes across Greater Manchester over the next 15 years. 

Formerly known as Greater Manchester Spatial Framework, this is the strategy for housing, jobs and the environment which has been repeatedly revised and is now in the hands of inspectors Steven Lee, Louise Gibbons and William Fieldhouse – appointed by the Secretary of State. The document, that was submitted back in February 2022, is due to be scrutinised over the course of the next five months.

The legal ramifications of Stockport withdrawing from the plan in the 11th hour and problems with public consultations dominated the proceedings at Manchester Fire and Rescue Training Centre on November 1. 

Questions were raised about how Stockport’s ‘Local Plan’ would need to consult with their GM neighbours separately now as a result and whether fresh consultation would be needed for any sites that could impact on their bordering boroughs.

Consultation was one of the main sticking points during the afternoon session, with representatives from each of the nine boroughs of Greater Manchester weighing in as to how they had problems with the ‘lack of it’ in some scenarios. One example would be the Mosley Common development for 1,100 homes that sits on the border of Wigan and Salford.

One Salford resident, Phil Woodward and Andy Brown, from Wigan, both believed that the consultation from Peel was not satisfactory. They claimed that many still do not know about this development that could impact on thousands in the local area encompassing 300m.

These are two of dozens of campaigners invited to the public meeting today, and they will form part of the hundreds that will get their two cents in over the course of the next few months. Local development schemes, the role of the plan and the Greater Manchester strategy were all discussed at the Cassidy Close site.

In total, 50,000 of the 165,000 homes now planned as part of Places for Everyone would be affordable with 30,000 of them to be social housing. More than 55m sqft of office, industrial and warehousing space is also proposed across the nine boroughs – including some on green belt land.

Opening the proceedings, Salford mayor Paul Dennett, who is Greater Manchester’s lead for Places for Everyone, said: “In this time of national uncertainty, socially and economically, Greater Manchester has continued to take the initiative to give people, communities and businesses hope and confidence for the future. We have a bold and ambitious vision for our city region.

“In each generation Greater Manchester has matched economic progress with social advancement. We are a place that has delivered industrial innovations but never forgotten the people who power the economy.

“Greater Manchester was the beating heart of the industrial revolution, the birthplace of everything from commuting to the computer. This radical spirit is central to Greater Manchester’s identity.

“Our focus is on growth, investment and the reform of public service to ensure that everyone here is supported to achieve their potential and make sure no one is left behind.”

Speaking to the plan itself, Mr Dennett said: “The need for a bold spatial plan to provide certainty and guidance, development and infrastructure has never been more necessary. We need a plan that strengthens our economy and our society against future challenges and puts us in the best position to take  advantage of new opportunities.

“We all share the same priorities, we want to see better homes, better jobs and better transport for everyone in our boroughs. We want to make best use of brownfield land while protecting green spaces.

“The policy of our plan seeks to ensure that all new developments are sustainably integrated into Greater Manchester’s transport network or joined by new infrastructure.”

Capacity at the public hearings will be limited, and people are advised to contact the programme officers, who have organised the sessions, by email at info@programmeofficers.co.uk to check availability of places before attending. All sessions will be streamed live online, and will also be made available on the GMCA website.