Stockport council is preparing to conduct a review of its green belt land in anticipation of proposed changes to national planning laws. The council will convene on Monday, November 25, to approve a 'more detailed update and review of the green belt' ahead of an expected update to the National Planning Policy Framework (NPPF), which is likely to be published either before Christmas or early in 2025.
The potential alterations to the NPPF could necessitate the council acquiring more land to facilitate housing and employment growth. As the council plans to recommence work on a local plan for housing, the green belt review will be conducted.
Previous areas of green belt considered for new homes include the former Woodford Aerodrome, Heald Green East and West, High Lane, Jackson's Lane and Sandown Road in Hazel Grove, and the former Offerton High School. Stockport's draft local plan was postponed in August when Labour unveiled plans for new housebuilding targets.
The local plan aims to construct 15,000 homes in the borough over the next 15 years, with 8,000 of these located in the town centre. However, the new housebuilding targets could require the council to build nearly 2,000 homes annually, a significant increase from the current plan of 1,000 homes per year.
Despite the green belt review, the council's housing lead maintained that 'brownfield first' continues to be the town hall's policy for new homes. "This [green belt review] is anticipating the new NPPF given we have to double our housing targets," stated Coun Colin MacAlister, reports .
Stockport stands as the only council in Greater Manchester not included in the region-wide Places for Everyone plan, a scheme designed to generate thousands of new homes and jobs across nine boroughs. The borough is grappling with significant housing issues, including up to 12-year waits for social housing and escalating homelessness rates.
Opposition councillors from the Labour group are advocating for more homes to be constructed on the 'grey belt' - land within green belt areas that is of poor quality or previously developed. As part of its alterations to the planning system, the government may instruct councils to consider grey belt land to achieve its housing objectives.
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