Stockport has a shortage of land on which to build houses. There has recently been a call for sites across Greater Manchester which has resulted in 600 potential sites being submitted. 115 of them are in Stockport. We question why out of 10 Local Authorities, Stockport sites appear to account for a fifth of the total. Most of these sites will appear on the Greater Manchester Spatial Framework map. However, any future development has to take account of current residential density, existing infrastructure and protection of the greenbelt.
Cllr Sheila Bailey, Stockport Labour Group’s Housing Spokesperson, comments:
“Whilst finding suitable housing sites is vitally important it is essential to remember that putting a site forward does not mean it will be developed. These are only possible sites, some of which will be totally unsuitable for development and all would need planning permission. Labour Councillors have already moved to protect allotment sites from even being considered and there will be many other sites where we would not support development.
“Any land identified in Stockport should be earmarked for affordable housing and whilst developers may not see this as their priority it is certainly ours. The 2015 Stockport Housing Needs Assessment, recently published, provides the latest available evidence to help shape Stockport’s future planning and housing policies. This research provides an up-to-date analysis of local housing needs and decisions have to be taken on the basis of providing accessible housing for all income levels, despite the serious constraints being put on the provision of affordable homes by this Government”.
Decisions on whether sites will or will not be supported will be made at a later stage and when a draft GMSF is produced in the autumn of 2016.
Follow this link for details about the GMSF and progress of its development.