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“Brownfield first” – nice idea, shame we’re not doing it
by Lib Dem Team on 12 April, 2017
Lib Dem Mayoral candidate Jane Brophy is campaigning to save our greenbelt.
Liberal Democrats have criticised Stockport Council’s “Brownfield first” policy as writing cheques it can’t cash.
Liberal Democrat Mayoral candidate Jane Brophy is campaigning to save our greenbelt.
The policy was launched after Labour and Conservative councillors worked together to block Lib Dem attempts to take Stockport out of the Greater Manchester Spatial Framework and save our greenbelt.
“People hearing the words ‘Brownfield first’ might think that the council is protecting the greenbelt. But that’s not true. Under these plans, developers will still be able to cherry-pick lucrative greenbelt sites and leave the derelict areas in our towns untouched,” said Cllr Iain Roberts.
The Liberal Democrats are opposing the over-development of the greenbelt, which could see more than 6,000 new houses built near the A34 around Heald Green, Cheadle Hulme, Handforth and Woodford, with loss of greenspace, increased traffic, increased pollution and more pressure on local services.
“Finding more brownfield sites for development is a positive move – though it should have been done months ago. But it won’t protect our greenbelt, and that’s what we need. Only electing Jane Brophy as Mayor of Greater Manchester will now achieve that,” Iain said.
9 Comments
Iain
I think you need to explain the Lib Dem position further. As I’m reading this blog post and previous ones from you, the Lib Dems support a “brownfield first” policy. I don’t understand what differs from the Labour/Tory “brownfield first” policy. What am I missing here? Apart from some politicking, of course. Surely what we need is a clear “brownfield first” policy, accepting that it may well not be enough to deal with the housing problem and society needs to continue expansion into the greenfield areas.
John, imo it’s a mix of political and council will plus central government planning laws. Stockport is full of empty buildings which need to be regenerated and if and when they are, will revitalise the town centre. They will also be near to excellent transport links. Green belt building does none of this; it’s just an ideological stance to put money in the hands of Tory donors who are also developers. Green belt building should never take
Place without transport
Infrastructure being put in place FIRST. instead the proposed sites near us will simply put more cars on the road as, as we have recently seen, Stagecoach tell US what buses they will run. It needs joined up thinking, something we’re not very good at…
Alan
As I said in my original post, “brownfield first” is the sensible policy.
I just don’t see the difference between the Lib Dems “brownfield first” policy and the Labour/Tory “brownfield first” policy that is being criticised in the opening blog post.
If all the political parties are agreed that “brownfield first” is the way to go, then why an apparent political disagreement?
What about increased traffic, increased pollution and more pressure on local services that is a result of the Barnes development that your party authorised. When fully occupied an extra 300+ cars for the beleaguered A34 junction at Gatley Road – not to mention all the service vehicles etc.
What provisions have you made for all the extra traffic Iain?
What about all the extra traffic thru south Park?.
Being so close to access to the M60 the entrance to the estate looks very unsafe to me.
Never mind the six million extra houses down the A34 we are more concerned with what is happening NOW.
I am totally with you on that one as some one who has been using Kingsway, Gatley road junction since 1966.
How does a Fire Engine, Ambulance and Police car get in and out. I mean directly not all round the house’s. Also i think it is not very nice selling it to people as they are without explaining the area in truth ?
Hang on. It’s not just nasty Torres and labour up to this. The Woodford development of the old A.V.Roe site uses some (not a lot but some) greenbelt also. This was approved under a liberal led council. And when we do have brownfield sites that were former housing estates… we build the aurora business park. Meanwhile old factories in the centre of Stockport that have sat empty and boarded up since the 80s are still sat empty. This council has a shocking history of not getting it right.
Whichever political group was in power in the past it is the future that is crucially important. Houses are for people and the people in them need food, house power & water, a suitable environment, perhaps school access, community & social contacts and of course transport facilities. All of these will have a serious impact on existing residents near and around travel routes. The impact on local wild life is usually but unfortunately ignored. Green Belt is vitally important and must take precedence over profiteering and easy answers whichever political group is in power. It is action – not words – that determine our future!
Garry,I couldn’t agree more. My husband worked in Stockport from 1967-2002 and the number of empty buildings near the bus depot has to be seen to be believed, some have been empty all the years my husband travelled to the Market Place. The old Revelese building on Brinksway has been empty for at least 20 years. Why is nothing done about them?
Perhaps the local authorities should be run by the people for the people and be totally a-political. I’ve long since believed that’s there’s enough politics in central government without loading us up with more on a local basis. The next mayor will be yet another layer of politics – another fat salary for what exactly? Local people getting control of what?