UDP Chapter 4 - Strategic Guidance for Greater Manchester
Unitary Development Plan
Chapter 4
Strategic Guidance for Greater Manchester
| 4.1 | In preparing the U.D.P. the Council must have regard to the Strategic Planning Guidance for Greater Manchester, which was issued by the Secretary of State for the Environment in October 1989. The most important points for U.D.P. policies contained in this Guidance are as follows: |
| (a) | Revitalising the sub-regional economy in general and promoting urban regeneration in particular are key objectives for Greater Manchester. |
| (b) | To identify a comprehensive range of development sites for manufacturing and service industries and to plan to tackle dereliction and the removal of other obstacles to business investment. In particular to identify, jointly with other authorities, opportunities in strategic locations for the provision, or creation, of major, high amenity sites for high technology industry, preferably in existing urban areas and with good access to motorways and public transport. |
| (c) | To seek to safeguard, enhance and encourage the development of the assets of Greater Manchester's rich industrial, architectural and cultural heritage which, together with its countryside, present major opportunities for tourism, recreation and leisure and ought to be used, where possible, for regeneration. |
| (d) | To provide for a basic (i.e. minimum) requirement of 60,000 new dwellings in Greater Manchester between mid-1986 and mid-2001, with 4,000 of these being provided within Tameside, and in addition, to provide for the replacement of housing lost through clearance. To identify as a priority housing sites within the urban area and to take early action to encourage their development. |
| (e) | To conform with Planning Policy Guidance Note 2; "Green Belts", and to seek to incorporate the Greater Manchester Green Belt as defined in Local Plans, maintaining consistency between the Green Belt in Greater Manchester and in surrounding areas. |
| (f) | To demonstrate continuing care for the river valleys and for the open land which helps to project an attractive image of the County. To seek to promote environmental improvement in these areas, including the reclamation of derelict and unused land, and the creation and retention of open spaces and opportunities for woodlands, site-specific and area-based environmental improvements and recreation facilities. |
| (g) | To include policies to safeguard the best and most versatile agricultural land, to maintain rural economic activity including farming and mineral extraction, to protect areas of scientific and ecological importance and those of scenic, recreational, cultural and heritage value, to provide recreational opportunities and assist nature conservation. |
| (h) | To have regard, in co-operation with other Councils, to the Greater Manchester Minerals Local Plan as the framework for minerals planning within the County. To set out consistent policies which will safeguard mineral resources, identify areas for mineral working, secure high standards for site operation, disposal of spoil, restoration and after care, and minimise the environmental impact of minerals operations. |
| (i) | Where appropriate, to identify waste disposal sites or criteria for identifying such sites. In addition, to set out the criteria for assessing the land use and environmental implications of individual proposals. |
| (j) | Greater Manchester's town centres to continue to be the main focus for the provision of shopping facilities and their strength, diversity and vitality to be maintained and enhanced. To have particular regard to the possible effects that further proposed major retail provision might have on plans for urban regeneration and on the vitality and viability of existing town centres as a whole. There is no place for major retail development in the Green Belt or in the open countryside. |
| (k) | Greater Manchester's transport system to be maintained, and selectively improved, to the extent that this enhances rather than detracts from the area's overall economic and environmental well-being. To seek to encourage provision of transport infrastructure both to support existing patterns of land use and to service new development in the future. |
| (l) | To ensure that the public transport network continues to meet peak hour travel demand. In this context, to allow appropriately for the development of a light rail system, for improvements to the local rail network and for cross boundary services. |
| (m) | To make proper allowance for proposed modifications to the existing motorway and trunk road network which have already been announced and for other changes arising from the reviews of the trunk road network which take place from time to time. |
| The Peak Park | |
| 4.2 | A Regional Strategy for the East Midlands recognises the regional and national importance of the Peak National Park. The region's authorities have accepted the provision which their plans will need to make for the necessary alternative development, to support the Peak Park Planning Board in its policies to manage and protect the Park. |
Page last updated: 13 October 2006