Local Labour Councillors have moved to protect allotments across Stockport following the identification of areas of land which may be made available for housing as part of early work on the Greater Manchester Spatial Framework (GMSF).

At a meeting of the Central Stockport Area Committee on Thursday 11th February Labour Councillors resolved to request the removal of all allotment and community open spaces which have been identified in Stockport as being suitable for potential development.

The resolution also formally opposed the inclusion of any allotment sites from Greater Manchester in the GMSF. The framework will be subject to public consultation in autumn 2016.

Labour Group Deputy Leader Councillor Wendy Wild said ‘Two sites in Davenport and Cale Green, the allotments on Barnfield Road East and Cuddington Crescent Community Orchard, were submitted for consideration, but these are totally inappropriate for development.

‘A shortage of land for housing in Stockport can’t be used as an excuse for the loss of valuable community assets such as allotments.

‘Labour Councillors recognise that the publication of these draft plans has caused real concern to many allotment holders and we’ve moved proactively to ensure that Stockport doesn’t lose any more valuable open space.’

The GMSF aims to facilitate the building of 10,350 homes per annum up to 2035 to meet demand for an increasing population in Greater Manchester and future economic growth. Initial work on the GMSF identified 670 sites across Greater Manchester for possible house-building, but many of these will ultimately be deemed unsuitable for development.

Labour Group Housing Spokesperson Councillor Sheila Bailey added ‘Labour Councillors want to make it absolutely clear that we would vigorously oppose any attempt by Stockport to offer up allotment sites for future development.

‘Allotments play a vital role in providing green lungs in urban areas and contribute considerably to the health and wellbeing of local residents.

‘There is actually a shortage of allotments already in Stockport, with many sites having long waiting lists, so the loss of any of them would be a massive backward step.’

A draft GMSF will be published later in the year ahead of a public consultation in autumn 2016, with the final document published in 2017 ahead of adoption in 2018.

Stockport Council is also undertaking an audit of all open spaces to see if any could be offered up as potential future housing development sites. An Open Space Study is a requirement of all Planning Authorities and was last carried out in Stockport in 2005.