A controversial masterplan for the future of Greater Manchester has been 'watered down', according to campaigners who are fighting against it, with commitments about affordable housing and the green belt affected. The Places for Everyone plan, which maps out where almost 165,000 new homes would be built in the city-region, has been modified over the last few months.
It comes as the joint plan for Bolton, Bury, Manchester, Oldham, Rochdale, Salford, Tameside, Trafford and Wigan is scrutinised by planning inspectors. The public examination of the document follows a long-run saga which saw Stockport pull out of the plan's ill-fated predecessor – the spatial framework.
Since the public examination started in November, several changes have been made following feedback from the inspectors. This includes policies about the number of affordable homes needed, prioritising building on brownfield land over developing other sites and commitments to becoming net zero carbon.
