LUC’s Greater Manchester Green Belt Study has been published as part of the evidence base for the Greater Manchester Spatial Framework (GMSF).

We led a comprehensive study on behalf of the 10 authorities of Greater Manchester assessing how the Green Belt performs against the Green Belt purposes set out in the National Planning Policy Framework.

The study builds on LUC’s extensive experience of undertaking Green Belt Assessments and reviews across the country. Our involvement in Green Belt policy development and review is unparalleled. In 1993 we undertook a Green Belt and Metropolitan Open Land (MOL) study for the London Planning Advisory Committee, which informed strategic planning guidance. We’ve since advised developers across the country on Green Belt development, and have undertaken independent Green Belt assessments for dozens of local authorities including the five Oxfordshire local authorities, a consortium of six authorities in the West Midlands, the New Forest, Burnley, Rossendale, North Warwickshire, Central Bedfordshire, Epping Forest, South Staffordshire and many more.

The Manchester Green Belt Assessment fed into the preparation of the GMSF which is the strategic plan that will guide Manchester’s growth for the next 20 years. A total of 227,200 new homes and 6.45 million sq m of employment space are proposed across the city over a 20-year period from 2015 to 2035. This equates to delivery of 11,360 homes per annum. Removal of land from the Green Belt is proposed for the delivery of c.65,000 homes within the Green Belt in Manchester which will result in a net reduction in the total area of designated Green Belt of 4,900 hectares (8.2%). 43% of Greater Manchester will remain as Green Belt.

Public consultation on the GMSF is proposed to take place over an eight-week period between 31 October and 23 December. The AGMA then aims to publish a Publication Draft GMSF in the summer of 2017 and work towards adoption of the GMSF in late 2018.

If you have any queries about the Manchester Green Belt study or our Green Belt capabilities please contact Sarah Young, Nick James or Philip Smith.