Places for Everyone Joint Development Plan Document
About Places for Everyone
Places for Everyone is a long-term plan of nine Greater Manchester districts (Bolton, Bury, Manchester, Oldham, Rochdale, Salford, Tameside, Trafford and Wigan) for jobs, new homes, and sustainable growth.
The plan will determine the kind of development that takes place across the city-region, maximising the use of brownfield land and urban spaces while protecting Green Belt from the risk of unplanned development. It will also make sure new developments are coordinated with investment into Greater Manchester’s transport network or are supported by new infrastructure.
The process so far
The Plan is the result of a process that began with the Greater Manchester Spatial Framework in 2016 and has been informed by the feedback received from residents, businesses and the development industry.
- Public consultation on the first draft of the GMSF (2016) took place between 31 October and 23 December 2016. The consultation saw more than 27,000 residents in Greater Manchester provide feedback, and the plans underwent significant review, including reducing Green Belt impact.
- The second consultation took place in 2019. More than 17,500 people, businesses and community organisations responded, and more than 67,000 comments were submitted.
- The final stage of consultation ran from 9 August 2021 for 8 weeks, ending on 3 October 2021. This was the ‘Publication Stage’ of this plan and the final stage of consultation before submitting the plan to the Secretary of State who has appointed independent inspectors to examine the plan.
Places for Everyone Submission
Places for Everyone was submitted on 14 February 2022 to the Secretary of State. Supporting documents, background evidence, and representations received during the final stage of public consultation form part of the submission.
Places for Everyone Examination
The Places for Everyone Joint Development Plan Document is now the subject of an independent examination, being conducted by Planning Inspectors appointed by the Secretary of State.
The process for this began on the date of submission (14 February 2022) and will conclude upon receipt of the Planning Inspectors Report. A series of formal scheduled hearings commenced on 1 November 2022 and ran until 5 July 2023 with formal notice of the examination hearings given.
Modifications Consultation
GMCA, on behalf of the nine local planning authorities, asked the Inspectors to recommend the modifications that are necessary to make the plan sounds and legally compliant. It is normal for the process of a local plan examination to be that inspectors recommend main modifications.
The Modifications consultation ran for 8 weeks from 11 October 2023 to 6 December 2023, this related to the proposed main modifications, relevant supporting information and the policy map changes. The submitted responses are available to view on the GMCA website:
Places for Everyone Inspectors’ Report
On behalf of the nine Places for Everyone authorities, the GMCA has published the report and recommendations of the independent Inspectors appointed to carry out the examination of the Places for Everyone Joint Development Plan Document for Bolton, Bury, Manchester, Oldham, Rochdale, Salford, Tameside, Trafford and Wigan.
The Inspectors’ Report, received on 14 February 2024, marks the end the examination into the plan which included public hearing sessions which took place between 1 November 2022 and 5 July 2023. The report sets out the findings of the examination of the Places for Everyone Joint Development Plan Document (PfE). The Inspectors conclude that all legal requirements have been met and that with the recommended main modifications set out in the Appendix of their report, the Places for Everyone Joint Development Plan Document for Bolton, Bury, Manchester, Oldham, Rochdale, Salford, Tameside, Trafford and Wigan satisfies the requirements referred to in Section 20(5)(a) of the 2004 Act and is sound.
The next step is for all nine Places for Everyone Councils to consider the Inspectors’ recommendations and adoption of the Plan. Currently it is anticipated that these Council meetings will be held across February and March 2024.
The Inspectors’ Report can be viewed here:
https://www.greatermanchester-ca.gov.uk/what-we-do/planning-and-housing/places-for-everyone/inspectors-report/
Places for Everyone and Tameside
Proposed Sites
The strategic allocations proposed for Tameside included in the plan are at Ashton Moss West, Godley Green Garden Village, and the South of Hyde.
- Ashton Moss West is proposed to deliver around 160,000sqm of high quality employment floorspace primarily within the E(g)(ii) Research and Development, E(g)(iii) Light Industrial and B2 General Industrial use classes.
- Godley Green Garden Village proposes to establish a new large-scale settlement of two connected villages each served by a local hub, including around 2,350 new homes across a range of types and tenures alongside a multi-user access bridge to Hattersley train station will also be provided.
- South of Hyde proposes around 440 new homes across a range of types and tenures and will secure the restoration and long term future re-use of the currently at risk Grade II* Listed Apethorn Farmhouse and complex.