Council leader says Oldham’s ‘rejection’ of Places For Everyone will not derail the masterplan

A controversial plan to build thousands of homes on green belt land is not under threat despite a neighbouring authority voting to reject it, Bury’s council leader has said. Earlier this month a majority of Oldham councillors voted to reject the Places For Everyone scheme, just months after agreeing to it.

Places for Everyone was adopted by all Greater Manchester councils, bar Stockport, in March. It came after a 10 year period of numerous consultations and revisions, and examination by the government’s Planning Inspectorate.

The plans outline strategic housebuilding and infrastructure plans over the next 15 years in the nine boroughs. Plans to build homes at Elton reservoir and Walshaw have been particularly contentious in Bury, with opposition councillors on the Labour controlled council fiercely against the masterplan.

Prior to the Oldham Council vote, officers set out a report advising the council against withdrawing from the scheme at this late stage. But in a narrow vote of 30 to 29, Lib Dems, Conservative and Independent councillors rejected the report.

It is unclear whether the authority will now write to the deputy Prime Minister to formally request withdrawal. At a meeting of Bury full council, leader Eamonn O’Brien said even if that request was sent he expected it to be rejected.

The matter was brought up by Conservative leader Coun Russell Bernstein. He said: “My question relates to the recent vote at Oldham Council. “What will be the impact for us her in Bury in relation to Place for Everyone?”

Coun Eamonn O’Brien, said: “I personally don’t envisage there will be any impact on us at all. “It’s unclear what the council vote will actually lead to. “Whether a letter will be written to the secretary of state or not.

“Regardless, if a letter is written asking for Oldham to be withdrawn I expect that will be rejected and I hope it is. “So in that regard there’s no impact on Bury or our plans.”

Join the Manchester Politics WhatsApp group here

Speaking at the Oldham council meeting, housing lead Elaine Taylor said: “Sacrificing a little bit to protect the rest may be unpalatable to some members, but [doing away with that condition] is actually putting the whole greenbelt at risk. It doesn’t make any sense.”

Council leader Arooj Shah added: “For those thinking that removing Oldham from this Greater Manchester approach will help stop all building in Oldham—you’re wrong. All that will happen is more building in places we don’t want.”