Manchester launches local plan consultation
Interested parties have until 28 September to weigh in on the strategic spatial framework before the document is set to government for examination.
Manchester City Council’s draft local plan covers 2022 to 2039 and outlines a series of growth locations, additional local green spaces, and policies around strategic flood risk, housing needs, purpose-built student accommodation, and more.
A target of 30% affordable housing for developments is part of the plan, as is a goal for 70% of those affordable homes to be social housing. PBSA will also be asked to include spaces for lower-income students.
The plan also provides for the city centre boundary to expand to include parts of Hulme, Strangeways, and Ancoats and New Islington. The Aquarius Estate in Hulme will continue to be excluded by the boundary, although it will be surrounded by the city centre on all sides.
Manchester City Council’s executive member for housing and regeneration, Cllr Gavin White, urged Mancunians to get involved in the local plan.
“It’s important that future development plays its part well in making sure Manchester remains a great place to live, with great homes that our residents can afford in attractive neighbourhoods that they want to live in with quality green spaces nearby,” White said.
“This is the role of the local plan – to help guide development to help us deliver our vision and ambition.”
He added: “The local plan will complement a range of other strategies delivering for our city, in particular our housing strategy that has set an ambitious target to deliver at least 36,000 new homes by 2032 – 10,000 of which will be social, Council and genuinely affordable homes. And the local plan looks to increase the target of social rent and affordable homes each year to deliver the homes our residents need.”
You can access the consultation and leave your feedback by going to manchester.gov.uk/planning-and-regeneration/planning/local-plan/publication-draft.
Companies that have assisted the city council on crafting the local plan include The Environment Partnership, Deloitte, Nexus Planning, Arc4, AECOM, Greater Manchester Ecology Unit, Three Dragons, Currie & Brown, Promarks, and JBA Consulting.
