2021 Places for Everyone

Closed 3 Oct 2021

Opened 9 Aug 2021

Feedback updated 4 Jan 2024

We asked

Places for Everyone (PfE) is the long-term plan of nine Greater Manchester districts for jobs, new homes and sustainable growth. The plan sets out a strategic policy framework for the nine boroughs and helps these areas to meet their local housing and employment needs by identifying land and infrastructure to support growth.

The consultation asked whether the plan, meets something referred to as the ‘tests of soundness’. These include whether the plan promotes economic growth and makes provision for development; whether it is backed up by robust evidence; whether the plans are based on effective and achievable policies; and whether they are consistent with policies at a national level.

Members of the public were also asked whether the nine local authorities have provided the necessary evidence and complied with the requirements arising from the duty to co-operate, which places a duty on local planning authorities to engage constructively with one another to maximise the effectiveness of local plans.

You said

There were 1949 responses to the consultation on the consultation portal - GMconsult in 2021. Other responses were received via email and post.

Following on from the consultation in 2021 the plan for new homes, jobs, and sustainable growth in Greater Manchester, is now undergoing a public examination by the Planning Inspectorate.

We did

Starting on 1 November, a series of hearings are taking place where Planning Inspectors appointed by the Secretary of State will test whether the plan in sound and legally compliant. This means that the Inspectors have to be satisfied that the plan is positively prepared, justified, effective, and consistent with national policy, and that it meets legal requirements including the duty to cooperate.

The sessions will also hear representations from individuals, community groups and organisations who submitted comments during the consultation on the publication plan in 2021.

Almost 200 requests were made to participate in the hearings, and around 25 participants have been invited to attend each hearing session. Members of the public also have the option to attend and observe proceedings in person. All sessions will be streamed live online and will also be made available on the GMCA website.

Overview

Welcome to the consultation on the joint plan between Bolton, Bury, Manchester, Oldham, Salford, Rochdale, Tameside, Trafford and Wigan, 'Places for Everyone (PfE)'. 

PfE is the long-term plan of nine Greater Manchester districts for jobs, new homes and sustainable growth.

The plan sets out a strategic policy framework for the nine boroughs and helps these areas to meet their local housing and employment needs by identifying land and infrastructure to support growth.

Visit our virtual exhibition space below, to read more about Places for Everyone - 

This plan is even more important than ever right now. Covid-19 has had a major impact on the way people live and work over the shorter term with a high degree of uncertainty over its impact in the long term.

Places for Everyone has been put together by Greater Manchester Combined Authority and nine of Greater Manchester’s councils (Bolton, Bury, Manchester, Oldham, Rochdale, Tameside, Trafford, Salford, Wigan).

It 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 land from the risk of unplanned development.

It will also ensure all new developments are sustainably integrated into Greater Manchester’s transport network or supported by new infrastructure.

The plan focuses on making the most of our brownfield sites, prioritising redevelopment of town centres and other sustainable locations. It will also help to address the housing crisis and delivering our share of at least 50,000 additional affordable homes.

We have to prove we have enough land available to deliver the homes and jobs people need up until 2037. If we don't, we will have less control over the future shape of our areas, and growth will take place without being properly planned for the benefit of all.

If we get this plan right, we can do it our way and steer development in a way that works for us.

This plan:

  • Sets out how the area should develop up to the year 2037.
  • Identifies the amount of new development that will come forward across the nine districts, in terms of housing, offices, and industry and warehousing, and the main areas in which this will be focused.
  • Identifies the important environmental assets across the conurbation which will be protected and enhanced.
  • Allocates sites for employment and housing outside of the urban area.
  • Supports the delivery of key infrastructure, such as transport and utilities.
  • Defines a new Green Belt boundary

Places for Everyone was developed after Stockport Council decided last year to withdraw from the Greater Manchester Spatial Framework (GMSF).

Following this the nine remaining Greater Manchester councils agreed to continue to progress a Joint Development Plan Document for themselves – known as Places for Everyone.

The plan has been produced using the evidence from drafts of the GMSF, as well as the views that were gathered as part of previous consultations.

The first draft of the Spatial Framework, published in 2016, saw more than 27,000 residents in Greater Manchester provide feedback. In the second round of consultation in 2019, more than 17,500 people, businesses and community organisations responded.

Following this consultation, the plan will be submitted to the Secretary of State for Housing, Communities and Local Government in January 2022.

Following the withdrawal of Stockport from the Greater Manchester Spatial Framework the remaining nine Greater Manchester authorities - Bolton, Bury, Manchester, Oldham, Rochdale, Salford, Tameside, Trafford and Wigan – have prepared a joint development plan document known as Places for Everyone.

We’ve now published the document that we’d like to put forward as the final plan. This means that we have reached the statutory consultation stage known as Regulation 19.

The consultation asks whether the plan, meets something referred to as the ‘tests of soundness’. These include whether the plan promotes economic growth and makes provision for development; whether it is backed up by robust evidence; whether the plans are based on effective and achievable policies; and whether they are consistent with policies at a national level.

Members of the public will also be asked whether the nine local authorities have provided the necessary evidence and complied with the requirements arising from the duty to co-operate, which places a duty on local planning authorities to engage constructively with one another to maximise the effectiveness of local plans.

Finally, we are asking if the plan is ‘legally compliant’. What all three of these terms mean and how to respond to them is explained throughout the consultation.

A guidance note has been prepared to help you complete your consultation response, this can be found on the GMCA webpages. 

Why your views matter

Local people are the driving force behind the area's success. It's important that you have your say on the future of the place you call home, and help shape its transition into a world-leading city region.

This consultation phase is to see if you think the this joint plan meets the 'test of soundness'.

The term 'sound' is used to describe a Plan that has been prepared in accordance with what Government expects of local planning authorities. These expectations are set out in paragraph 35 of the National Planning Policy Framework. More can be found on this definition when you click through below, to the next stage of the consultation.

What happens next

Following this consultation, we will review all the responses we receive and consider how we need to review the plan in light of what you’ve said.

Our timetable is:

  • October 2021 - December 2021 - analysis in preparation for the examination in public
  • January 2022– planning inspectors check our consultation processes and what we’ve done with the feedback (examination phase)
  • 2023 – publication of the final plan ready to roll out

Audiences

  • General public
  • Young people
  • Businesses
  • Community, voluntary sector and social enterprises
  • Schools, colleges and universities
  • Academics
  • Public sector partners

Interests

  • Combined Authority
  • Mayor of Greater Manchester
  • Ageing
  • Equalities
  • Culture
  • Digital
  • Economy
  • Education
  • Skills
  • Apprenticeships
  • Finance
  • Investment
  • Green
  • Greater Manchester Spatial Framework