Issue - meetings

To consider a report of the Cabinet Member for Economy & Regeneration.

The GMSF has been the subject to two previous drafts in 2016 and 2019 which have been the subject of extensive evidence gathering and consultation.  The report sets out some background information in respect of the GMSF and why it is being produced.  It refers the strategic context which the plan sits within whilst referencing the plan making process to date. 

The report explores the proposals in a Stockport context, in particular having regard to the need to proceed with the provision of an updated planning framework to support inclusive and sustainable growth.

In so far as it relates to executive functions of the Council, Cabinet are recommended to approve publication and submission of the GMSF 2020 subject to amendments set out in section 11 of the report and agree delegation arrangements for finalisation and minor amendments to submission documents. 

Subject to the amendments set out in section 11 of this report and in so far as the matter relates to Executive functions of the Council it is recommended that the Cabinet:-

(1) Approve the GMSF: Publication Draft 2020, including strategic site allocations and Green Belt boundary amendments, and reference to the potential use of compulsory purchase powers to assist with site assembly, and the supporting background documents, for publication pursuant to Regulation 19 of the Town and Country Planning (Local Planning) (England) Regulations for a period for representations of 8 weeks to commence as soon as is practicable after decisions to proceed have been taken by all 10 GM Authorities;

(2) Approve the GMSF: Publication Draft 2020 for submission to the Secretary of State for examination following the period for representations;

(3) Delegates to the Deputy Chief Executive (Corporate Director for Place) authority to approve the relevant Statement(s) of Common Ground required pursuant to the National Planning Policy Framework 2019; and

(4) Delegates authority to the Lead Chief Executive, Housing, Homelessness and Infrastructure, in consultation with the Portfolio Leader for Housing, Homelessness and Infrastructure to make minor or non-material amendments to the GMSF: Publication Draft 2020 and background documents prior to their publication.

Officer Contact: Emma Curle on 0161 474 3542 or email: emma.curle@stockport.gov.uk

The Cabinet Member for Economy & Regeneration (Councillor David Meller) submitted a report (copies of which had been circulated) setting out background information in relation to the Greater Manchester Spatial Framework and why it was being produced as well as detailing the strategic context in which the plan sat.  The report explored the proposals in a Stockport context, in particular having regard to the need to proceed with the provision of an updated planning framework to support inclusive and sustainable growth.

The Cabinet Member for Economy & Regeneration also requested that the Cabinet gave consideration to the decision of the Council Meeting on Thursday, 3 December 2020 where the Plan and the recommendations contained within the report were rejected insofar as they related to non-executive functions of the Council that the meeting had been called upon to exercise.

RESOLVED – That in the light of the decision of the Council Meeting on 3 December 2020, and haivng considered all the available evidence, the Cabinet has agreed to reject the recommendations contained within the report insofar as they related to the exercise of executive functions within its purview.

To consider a report of the Corporate Director (Place) and Deputy Chief Executive.

The Greater Manchester Spatial Framework (GMSF) has been the subject to two previous drafts in 2016 and 2019 which have been the subject of extensive evidence gathering and consultation. This report sets out some background information in respect of the GMSF and why it is being produced. It refers to the strategic context which the plan sits within whilst referencing the plan making process to date.

The report explores the proposals in a Stockport context, in particular having regard to the need to proceed with the provision of an updated planning framework to support inclusive and sustainable growth.

NOTE: This item was originally considered by the Scrutiny Committee at its meeting on 5 November 2020, but has now been reissued with an accompanying addendum report that sets out a series of amendments to the Stockport element of the GMSF which seek to address a number of issues that are of paramount importance to Members.

The Scrutiny Committee is invited to comment on the report.

Officer Contact: Emma Curle on 0161 474 3542 or email: emma.curle@stockport.gov.uk

The Corporate Director (Place) and Deputy Chief Executive submitted a report (copies of which had been circulated) which updated Members on the Greater Manchester Spatial Framework (GMSF).

The GMSF had been the subject of two previous drafts in 2016/19 which had been the subject of extensive evidence gathering and consultation. The report set out some background information in respect of the GMSF and why it was being produced. It referred to the strategic context in which the plan sat, whilst referencing the plan making process to date.

The report explored the proposals in a Stockport context, in particular having regard to the need to proceed with the provision of an update planning framework to support inclusive and sustainable growth.

The report had originally been considered by the Scrutiny Committee at its meeting on 5 November 2020, but had now been issued with an accompanying addendum report that set out a series of amendments to the Stockport element to the GMSF which sought to address a number of issues that were of paramount importance to Members.

The Leader of the Council (Councillor Elise Wilson) and Cabinet Member for Economy and Regeneration (Councillor David Meller) attended the meeting to respond to Members’ questions.

RESOLVED – That the report be noted.

To consider a report of the Deputy Chief Executive

The Greater Manchester Spatial Framework (GMSF) has been the subject to two previous drafts in 2016 and 2019 which have been the subject of extensive evidence gathering and consultation. This report sets out some background information in respect of the GMSF and why it is being produced. It refers to the strategic context which the plan sits within whilst referencing the plan making process to date.

The report explores the proposals in a Stockport context, in particular having regard to the need to proceed with the provision of an updated planning framework to support inclusive and sustainable growth.

NOTE: This item was originally considered by the Working Party at its meeting on 4 November 2020, but has now been reissued with an accompanying addendum report that sets out a series of amendments to the Stockport element of the GMSF which seek to address a number of issues that are of paramount importance to Members.

The Working Party is invited to comment on the report.

Officer Contact: Emma Curle on 0161 474 3542 or email: emma.curle@stockport.gov.uk

A representative of the Corporate Director for Place Management & Regeneration submitted a report (copies of which had been circulated) which updated Members on the Greater Manchester Spatial Framework. 

The following comments were made/issues raised:

·         Members enquired about the reduction in housing numbers for Stockport and the ability for the Council to secure affordable housing. In response, Members were advised that seeking to progress a plan that would deliver less than the need would also mean delivering less affordable housing, but Members would be aware that there was a methodology for calculating housing need and housing targets for local areas considers the affordable living in the boroughs. It was also stated that it was also about what makes up the supply within Stockport and the difficulties of delivering affordable housing in terms of the numbers on some of those sites.

·         Members questioned the affordable housing for areas like Bramhall and related planning applications. In response, it was noted that the requirement to deliver affordable housing was subject to viability and has to be informed by a robust base of evidence for the levels to be achieved.

·         Members enquired about the new allocations and the reductions missing from High Lane, Heald Green and Woodford and the criteria that was used to identify these particular reductions in these particular places. In response, it was advised that the starting point was to look at the site selection criteria applied across the Greater Manchester area and to not undermine the wider GMSF and the wider plan as well as to look at the sites that performed particularly well in terms of viability and site selection.

·         Members questioned whether things could have been done differently with both Woodford and Heald Green in terms of numbers. In response, it was noted that by working with other districts it has allowed distribution elsewhere but also consideration has to be given to the consequences of those areas. It was also noted that there was not a different percentage to work with at this time, it was 70% and work was being done to stay within that remit and meet the proposed changes within that evidence base that supports the strategy that underpins the GMSF. It was also stated that it was a joint development plan and not just about Stockport and Members must be aware of the impact of further re-distribution of housing that would have on those areas.

·         There was a discussion relating to the housing need and urban areas. It was noted that it was a challenging position for the borough, but Stockport was benefitting from the approach taken, but there were still difficult decisions to take including f the plan was not to proceed.

·         Members enquired about the housing numbers and whether Stockport would be able to meet the full 100% and if it was a national figure. In response, Members were advised that the starting point was 18,343 which was set by the methodology that sits within the Planning Policy Guidance.

·         Members enquired about the proposed new office space and the current situation with a number of organisations and businesses encouraging staff to work from home or closing due to Covid-19 or the current economic problems and whether it will still be required. In response, Members were informed that things were changing due to the pandemic but it was too early to predict what the impact would be and it would be monitored accordingly and that the plan has to be continued to be progressed. However, the system allows for change and things to be built in as it progresses.

·         It was confirmed that the methodology was based upon the 2014 household projections and that the Government has been clear regarding the origins of the projections and if the 2018 projections were to be used it would have to be in exceptional circumstances and no authority in the country has successfully argued the position of  ...  view the full minutes text for item 3

To consider a report of the Cabinet Member for Economy & Regeneration.

The GMSF has been the subject to two previous drafts in 2016 and 2019 which have been the subject of extensive evidence gathering and consultation.  The report sets out some background information in respect of the GMSF and why it is being produced.  It refers the strategic context which the plan sits within whilst referencing the plan making process to date. 

The report explores the proposals in a Stockport context, in particular having regard to the need to proceed with the provision of an updated planning framework to support inclusive and sustainable growth.

In so far as it relates to executive functions of the Council, Cabinet are recommended to approve publication and submission of the GMSF 2020 subject to amendments set out in section 11 of the report and agree delegation arrangements for finalisation and minor amendments to submission documents. 

Subject to the amendments set out in section 11 of this report and in so far as the matter relates to Executive functions of the Council it is recommended that the Cabinet:-

(1) Approve the GMSF: Publication Draft 2020, including strategic site allocations and Green Belt boundary amendments, and reference to the potential use of compulsory purchase powers to assist with site assembly, and the supporting background documents, for publication pursuant to Regulation 19 of the Town and Country Planning (Local Planning) (England) Regulations for a period of representations between 1st December 2020 and 26th January 2021;

(2) Approve the GMSF: Publication Draft 2020 for submission to the Secretary of State for examination following the period for representations;

(3) Delegates to the Deputy Chief Executive authority to approve the relevant Statement(s) of Common Ground required pursuant to the National Planning Policy Framework 2019; and

(4) Delegates authority to the Lead Chief Executive, Housing, Homelessness and Infrastructure, in consultation with the Portfolio Leader for Housing, Homelessness and Infrastructure to make minor or non-material amendments to the GMSF: Publication Draft 2020 and background documents prior to their publication.

Officer Contact: Emma Curle on 0161 474 3542 or email: emma.curle@stockport.gov.uk

To consider a report of the Corporate Director (Place) and Deputy Chief Executive.

The Leader of the Council and Cabinet Member for Devolution (Councillor Elise Wilson) submitted a report (copies of which had been circulated) setting out background information in relation to the Greater Manchester Spatial Framework and why it was being produced as well as detailing the strategic context in which the plan sat.  The report explored the proposals in a Stockport context, in particular having regard to the need to proceed with the provision of an updated planning framework to support inclusive and sustainable growth.

The Leader of the Council then requested that the Council Meeting give consideration to the adjournment of proceedings with a view to bringing forward revised proposals, having reflected on additional comments and representations made by opposition groups in advance of this meeting.  It was stated that any such revised proposals would be laid before meetings of the Development Plan Working Party and the Economy & Regeneration Scrutiny Committee in advance of the Council Meeting being reconvened to determine the matter.

To consider a report of the Deputy Chief Executive

The Greater Manchester Spatial Framework (GMSF) has been the subject to two previous drafts in 2016 and 2019 which have been the subject of extensive evidence gathering and consultation. This report sets out some background information in respect of the GMSF and why it is being produced. It refers to the strategic context which the plan sits within whilst referencing the plan making process to date.

The report explores the proposals in a Stockport context, in particular having regard to the need to proceed with the provision of an updated planning framework to support inclusive and sustainable growth.

The Scrutiny Committee is invited to comment on the report.

Officer Contact: Emma Curle on 0161 474 3542 or email: emma.curle@stockport.gov.uk

The Corporate Director (Place) and Deputy Chief Executive submitted a report (copies of which had been circulated) which updated Members on the Greater Manchester Spatial Framework (GMSF).

The GMSF had been the subject of two previous drafts in 2016/19 which had been the subject of extensive evidence gathering and consultation. The report set out some background information in respect of the GMSF and why it was being produced. It referred to the strategic context in which the plan sat, whilst referencing the plan making process to date.

The report explored the proposals in a Stockport context, in particular having regard to the need to proceed with the provision of an update planning framework to support inclusive and sustainable growth.

GMSF 2020 was not being prepared in isolation. It was one of a suite of strategic documents setting out how Greater Manchester could achieve the ambition set out in the Greater Manchester Strategy. It sat alongside the Local Industrial Strategy, Housing Strategy, 5 Year Environment Plan, Digital and Cultural Strategies.

If supported by the Council, there would be a further period for representations on the GMSF before its submission to the Secretary of State.

The Leader of the Council (Councillor Elise Wilson) and Cabinet Member for Economy and Regeneration (Councillor David Meller) attended the meeting to respond to Members’ questions.

The following comments were made/issues raised:

·         Without the Greater Manchester Spatial Framework (GMSF) the Council would need to prepare a Stockport-specific Local Plan that addressed how the full Local Housing Need (LHN) for Stockport was to be met. GMSF proposed to redistribute over 25% of Stockport’s LHN, around 5,000 dwellings, to other Greater Manchester districts due to the constraints of the borough. The majority of this was to the central core of Greater Manchester.

·         Local housing need was the responsibility of each borough. The Council had co-operated throughout the process and there was no requirement on the other local authorities in Greater Manchester to agree to meet any of Stockport’s local housing need.

·         The identified Stockport Local Housing Need in 2020 of 18,343 had been derived using the Government’s methodology for calculating local housing need (LHN). The reliability of this methodology was questioned by some Members of the Scrutiny Committee particularly due to its reliance on 2014 household projections.

·         The methodology used to assess the number of dwellings was a national methodology based on projected household figures which had not taken account of national issues such as Brexit and the Covid-19 pandemic.

·         The GMSF is one of a number of strategies including the Industrial Strategy which would help establish sites for new businesses.

·         In terms of the transport infrastructure to support the dwellings, the policies require the delivery of necessary and supporting infrastructure to mitigate the effect on traffic. A number of sites are linked to the Council’s desire for key improvements to the public transport infrastructure. Other application sites, for example, may require the building of a new school and all sites require contributions towards education provision.

·         The report stated that the scope to increase the supply of dwellings in urban areas had already been fully explored. To protect the Green Belt would require an additional 7,300 dwellings to be built in urban areas at the expense of existing structures such as car parks or open space.

·         Without the GMSF there would be a significant risk of a ‘planning by appeal’ scenario which would place a significant financial burden on the Council.

·         Should Stockport Council vote against the GMSF and the Greater Manchester Combined Authority decided to continue with the plan without Stockport, they would be planning for the combined need of nine Local Authorities. Stockport would still need to build the number of dwellings required to be built according to the Local Housing Need and the other local authorities in Greater Manchester would not be obliged to assist Stockport in meeting this need.  This would be covered by the  ...  view the full minutes text for item 3

To consider a report of the Deputy Chief Executive

The Greater Manchester Spatial Framework (GMSF) has been the subject to two previous drafts in 2016 and 2019 which have been the subject of extensive evidence gathering and consultation. This report sets out some background information in respect of the GMSF and why it is being produced. It refers to the strategic context which the plan sits within whilst referencing the plan making process to date.

The report explores the proposals in a Stockport context, in particular having regard to the need to proceed with the provision of an updated planning framework to support inclusive and sustainable growth.

The Scrutiny Committee is invited to comment on the report.

Officer Contact: Emma Curle on 0161 474 3542 or email: emma.curle@stockport.gov.uk

A representative of the Corporate Director for Place Management & Regeneration submitted a report (copies of which had been circulated) which updated Members on the Greater Manchester Spatial Framework.

The following comments were made/issues raised:

·         Members questioned the line in the report which read ‘In the event that Stockport sought to proceed with a Local Plan and depart the GMSF, it would not be possible to simply utilise all of the evidence which has been collected to support the GMSF’ and wanted to know why this was the case.  In response, Members were advised that much of the evidence had been jointly commissioned and as such any evidence that was relied upon would need to be repeated.

·         Members commented that the affordable housing requirement levels appeared quite low.  In response, Members were advised that part of the work that underpins the GMSF is a viability study and it would be necessary to demonstrate that the plans are deliverable.  Members expressed concerns that developers may be able to avoid providing affordable housing.

·         How did the Council propose to engage with residents who did not have internet access?  Members were advised that this would be a challenge.  Discussions with neighbourhood forums were ongoing but it will be necessary to find a way to engage with all members of the public given the current restrictions.

·         Members felt that neighbourhood forums should not be the only source of trying to engage with residents.

·         Members asked about potential changes to the GMSF in terms of the increased need for housing in various parts of the Borough.

·         Members acknowledged that whilst it might be extremely challenging to develop a Stockport specific Local Plan, this does not necessarily mean it is impossible.

·         At Members’ request, Officers confirmed that the targets in the GMSF were set by the government and not by Councillors or Officers.

·         Members noted that because neighbouring Local Authorities had offered to take 5% of Stockport’s housing allocation, this mitigated the need to build on the green belt.  It was also noted that by working together, all the GM Authorities were benefitting.

·         A short discussion took place relating to employment and the impact that COVID will have had especially on small businesses.  It was confirmed that the plan does involve some flexibility to cope with changes in circumstance.

·         If Members wished to send in any comments they should do this via the online portal and these would then be forwarded to the GMCA.

RESOLVED – That the report be noted.