MP speaks out on GMSF in Westminster

Commons GMSF Chris Green MP

Chris Green MP has raised his concerns about the use of green spaces in the latest Greater Manchester Spatial Framework draft in the House of Commons.

This comes amidst his disappointment about the allocation of green spaces for housebuilding and industrial use across the Bolton West and Atherton constituency.

Mr Green has long-campaigned for the local Labour council leadership to adopt a brown-field-first policy after the original GMSF received local backlash over its allocation of green-belt for development. 

The MP has also campaigned against the first GMSF draft after it included no plans for new schools, health services or transport.

Speaking in the debate, Mr Green said: “The original version of the Greater Manchester Spatial Framework, that the local Labour leadership drew up, was so bad it was criticised by 27,000 residents as well as Conservative colleagues across Greater Manchester.

“It was rightfully torn up and started again.

“The new version of GMSF is better, especially because it has more of a focus on the development and redevelopment of Bolton Town Centre.

“Can we have a debate on the importance of listening to local residents, who emphasise the importance of redeveloping our town centres and brown-field sites rather than Labour's focus on using green-belt first?”

 

You may also be interested in

Protect our green spaces from over-development

There’s a need for more affordable homes, but not at the expense of our green spaces. The last Labour Council alongside Manchester’s Mayor wanted to build on green fields with their delayed GMSF plan. But I’ll oppose inappropriate development and make sure new developments are brown field first. With the roads, schools and health facilities they need.

Interesting times ahead for us all

With allegations of agents of the Chinese Communist Party manipulating and perhaps even corrupting parts of our democratic system and with everything else going on, it really does feel that we have been cursed.