Time is running out for residents in Stockport to have their say on a major planning blueprint that could reshape the borough. The public consultation on the Stockport Local Plan, imposed by the Labour Government, closes on December 21.
Government Shifts Goalposts on Housing
The proposed document sets the planning framework for the coming years. According to Liberal Democrat MP Lisa Smart, critical changes from Westminster have forced a drastic rethink. The most significant is a near doubling of Stockport's housing targets.
Ms Smart argues that when Stockport left the Greater Manchester 'Places for Everyone' framework, the local council was ready with a plan focusing solely on brownfield sites. However, she states the new Government "pulled the rug out from under us," imposing what she calls "frankly unattainable" targets.
The Rise of the 'Grey Belt' and Community Concerns
The second major change highlighted is the introduction of the 'grey belt'. This new classification effectively downgrades parts of the traditional green belt, making them easier for developers to build on. Areas identified as potentially affected include Bredbury, High Lane, Norbury, Offerton, Romiley, Woodley, Woodsmoor, Heald Green, and Cheadle.
The MP warns that this could lead to a wave of executive, larger homes that do not meet the urgent need for social housing. She emphasises that thousands on council waiting lists require smaller, affordable properties.
How to Make Your Voice Count
Lisa Smart is urging constituents to respond to the consultation before the deadline. She stresses that simply objecting is not enough under the Government's strict conditions. To be heard, responses must propose constructive alternatives.
"The people that know best what a community needs are the people who live there," she said, criticising a process she believes is driven by "Government-appointed advisors" and developer profit.
She calls for responses to demand a focus on:
- The right type of housing: smaller social homes for those in desperate need.
- The right places: prioritising brownfield sites.
- The right infrastructure: ensuring new developments include public transport, healthcare, and education from the start.
Residents can read the full Local Plan and submit their response via the official council website. Lisa Smart has also launched a separate petition calling for a change to the planning system.
