Saddleworth Civic Trust seek Andy Burnham’s support for their campaign against the Manchester Strategic Framework
Andy Burnham mayoral candidate for Greater Manchester
Reporter: Stuart Littleford
Saddleworth Civic Trust have ramped up their campaign this week against the proposed Greater Manchester Strategic Framework by writing to Andy Burnham, mayoral candidate for Greater Manchester.
Burnham has condemned the sacrifice of Green Belt land for more housing development and criticised the plan for its “low aspirations” in terms of creating well paid quality jobs. In their letter they have expressed support for his criticisms of the draft Framework document.
The Trust said: “We strongly support your conclusions which resonate with our own views. In particular we welcome your emphasis on a higher skilled economy and less on warehousing and distribution.
“There is an unrecognised opportunity in places like Saddleworth for digital, high tech & software development industries. We believe country science parks should be considered in rural areas where attractive surroundings will encourage knowledge workers.
“This would cut down on commuter journeys in areas were public transport services are stretched and inadequate and ever more cars are driven onto the roads.
“We endorse your proposals to target housing expansion in town and city brownfield areas with a reduced emphasis on building on the Green Belt. The present ‘call for sites’ exercise in the plan is the complete reverse of this and is driven, not by planning considerations, but by the prospect of lucrative land deals for owners of agricultural land.
“The unprofitability of dairy farming in Pennine areas like Saddleworth is an unwelcome driving force behind the submissions.”
Meg Langton, spokesperson for the Trust, went on to say that outside of Manchester city centre there are “many fine former cotton mills and warehouses now redundant that would make excellent high density accommodation”.
She thought that Victorian terraces, now despised by local authorities because of their low council tax banding, still offer excellent energy efficient, high density, affordable starter homes and that these houses should be encouraged, improved and recognised for the valuable contribution they make to the housing market.
“Urban Splash in Salford have demonstrated how a little imagination can transform a deprived neighbourhood into an exciting place where people want to live and work.
“The thematic policies in the plan, although worthy in themselves, and who could disagree with them, are largely pious and generic, and could apply anywhere in the country. The challenge is proactively putting them into action. Passively waiting for developers to implement them has been shown over recent decades not to work. Intervention is required not just a call for sites,” she added.
The Trust have also written to other mayoral candidates for their views and have asked local MP, Debbie Abrahams for her support in resisting the attack on the Green Belt.
Author: Jude Gidney - Editor
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