Liberal Democrats slam Oldham Labour as crucial debate on Places for Everyone housing plan is quietly side lined

Oldham’s Liberal Democrat Leader councillor Howard Sykes MBE has hit out at Oldham Council’s Labour leadership after the final debate on the controversial ‘Places for Everyone’ development scheme has been effectively sidelined. 

Councillor Sykes said: “Places for Everyone is Labour’s flagship housing strategy.  But it contains unpopular plans to use Green Belt land for development and it has been criticised for prioritising expensive luxury housing over affordable and social homes.  It should really be called Palaces for Everyone.”

The Places for Everyone proposals – which have also been spearheaded by Greater Manchester Mayor Andy Burnham – are now in their final stages and require one final vote of approval from each of Greater Manchester’s ten councils.

Oldham Council will make its decision this week on Wednesday 13th March. But Places for Everyone comes in at item 16, last on a packed agenda, for which there is a 3.5 hour cut off for any debate.  The Liberal Democrats have accused the ruling Labour Group of trying to limit debate on an issue they know is controversial.

Councillor Sykes said: “The Labour Group are being extremely cynical by putting this crucial vote at the end of the meeting.  They are clearly hoping that we will run out of time, allowing Places for Everyone to pass under the radar.  Given that lots of the supposed benefits of this policy that Labour councillors have spent the last several years defending have now been whittled away and removed, it’s little wonder that they are trying to avoid defending Places for Everyone in public.”