Urgent review of ‘Places for Everyone’ green belt use needed following government U-turn

Oldham Liberal Democrats have called for an urgent review of all green belt sites which have been earmarked for development under Greater Manchester’s controversial ‘Places for Everyone’ housing strategy. 

Leader of Oldham Council’s Liberal Democrat Opposition Group councillor Howard Sykes MBE said, “Time after time, Oldham’s Labour leadership have told people that they had no choice but to build on our local green spaces.  That it was the government that was forcing councils like Oldham to do so.  Following the government’s U-turn, it is clear that an urgent review of the land used for ‘Places for Everyone’ is needed.”

The government has stated that there will be a “relaxation of housing targets” for local councils in England.  Shortly, Housing ministers are expected to announce that the government will allow authorities to allocate less land to future development if local officials can argue that more development would damage the character of an area or require building on green belt land.

A public consultation on ‘Places for Everyone’ concluded on December 6^th and final recommendations are expected to be put before Oldham Council later this year. 

Councillor Sykes said, “Developing our green spaces will do nothing to solve the housing crisis except hand a blank cheque to developers.  With no new investment in our roads, no new school places for our children and no new health facilities to support our communities, these proposals are not good enough for Oldham.

“So far, the only Greater Manchester council to free itself from ‘Places for Everyone’ and protect its’ local green belt has been Liberal Democrat controlled Stockport Council.

“We want to see Oldham follow that example and withdraw from this unwanted scheme.”