500 submissions to Spatial Framework call for sites

In the latest round of consultation informing the creation of the Greater Manchester Spatial Framework, the Combined Authority received 170 responses from organisations, groups and individuals, and more than 500 suggestions for its call for sites.

The consultation closed at midnight on Monday.

According to a statement from the GMCA, it is not yet possible for the authority to give exact figures on engagement levels it is still working through submissions.

The results from the consultation will be published in the coming months, in advance of the first draft of the Spatial Framework being produced in autumn this year.

The 10 Greater Manchester councils are working together to develop the framework which will identify the land needed to meet housing and business needs over the next 20 years and manage the supply of land across the city-region.

Once complete the framework will also outline transport and other infrastructure improvements needed to meet Greater Manchester’s ambitions for more jobs and housing.

GMCA began the formal consultation proceedings for the 20-year planning blueprint in early November. The call for sites “of any size and in any location” formed part of that consultation, as local authorities recognised the existing land allocations will not meet demand for homes and business space in the future. There was also commissioned a green belt assessment which is due to complete by the end of March 2016.

The call for sites was aimed at identifying areas of land for development of which authorities were not previously aware.

To learn more about Greater Manchester’s Spatial Framework visit the Combined Authority website at www.greatermanchester-ca.gov.uk/gmsf