Stockport Liberal Democrats have today published a joint letter to the Prime Minister warning that government planning reforms are putting increasing pressure on the borough’s Green Belt, which risks undermining a genuine brownfield-first approach to development. The letter is backed by Cabinet Member Cllr Jake Austin, Leader of the Council Cllr Mark Roberts, Tom Morrison MP and Lisa Smart MP. The letter to Andy Burnham has been published in the wake of Stockport’s emerging Local Plan, which is set to go to consultation in late September.
The letter raises concerns that changes to housing targets have effectively doubled Stockport’s housing requirement to almost 31,000 homes, while the introduction of the so-called “grey belt” policy is creating a pathway for development on land that residents clearly recognise and value as Green Belt.
Cllr Mark Roberts, Leader of Stockport Council, said:
“Stockport Liberal Democrats have always believed that we can deliver the homes people need without sacrificing the Green Belt that local communities value so highly. Our regeneration success in Stockport Town Centre shows that a brownfield-first approach works, and we’re calling on the Government to give councils like ours the flexibility to continue protecting green spaces while delivering sustainable growth.”
Cllr Jake Austin, Cabinet Member for Housing and Environment, said:
“During the Makerfield by-election, Andy Burnham made the case for a planning system that strikes the right balance between delivering homes and protecting the Green Belt, with a clear commitment to prioritising brownfield regeneration first. That is exactly the approach we have been pursuing in Stockport for years. We’re asking the Prime Minister to back that principle in practice and give places like Stockport the flexibility to deliver sustainable growth without putting unnecessary pressure on valued Green Belt land.”
The letter points to the Draft Local Plan released by Stockport Council in July 2024, which focussed on delivering over 15,000 across brownfield sites, contrasting with the Labour government’s changes in planning, which are pushing councils across the country to release green belt land.
Stockport Liberal Democrats are urging ministers to provide greater flexibility for areas such as Stockport so that housing delivery, regeneration and Green Belt protection can be properly balanced for future generations.
