CLAIM: GMSF ‘Plan to build 12000 homes’ homes on greenbelt

Stockport Liberal Democrats have claimed in successive Full Council meetings and online postings that the GMSF is an undemocratic plan to build on the greenbelt, over which Stockport has no say.

REALITY: Stockport Labour continue successful consultation on GMSF set up by Lib Dems, meaning fewer houses on greenbelt

The GMSF process involves sequence of (extended) public consultation, followed by major revision, followed by a second public consultation, then revision, followed by GMCA officer appraisal and final approval by councillors. Stockport Labour have already committed to a full council vote on the final plans.

The process means trades can be made between councils which want more housing development and those which want less, meaning Stockport has already reduced its housing allocation by around 1000 homes.

The Liberal Democrats have no alternative plan, placing the green belt at risk of circling developers.

They also have a loose recollection of history. During the Council meeting of 02/04/2015, the then Liberal Democrat leader said:

“The spatial framework will reflect our ambition for Greater Manchester to manage the challenge of growth across all 10 authorities in a coherent way”

This one comes under the ‘false memory syndrome/ flipflop section.’