To receive a report from the Executive Member for Economy and Regeneration on Places for Everyone.

The Executive Member for Economy and Regeneration presented a report regarding a Joint Development Plan Document for nine Greater Manchester Local Authorities (Bolton, Bury, Manchester, Oldham, Rochdale, Salford, Tameside, Trafford and Wigan) 2022-2039 (The Places for Everyone Plan).

The Places for Everyone Joint Local Plan (PfE) will provide the overall strategic planning context for Development Management and the Trafford Local Plan, which will contribute to all of the Council’s Corporate Priorities, in particular addressing our climate crisis. PfE is being produced in partnership with the GMCA and nine GM LA’s (excluding Stockport) and will be one the key strategic policy documents produced at the GM level.

Members were informed that the PfE Plan is a strategic plan, and it does not cover everything that Trafford’s local plan would. Therefore, Trafford’s Local Plan will set out more detailed policies including both strategic and non-strategic policies, as appropriate, reflecting local circumstances. Appendix A of the PfE Plan, attached to the report, sets out the policies in the relevant adopted GM district local plans which will be replaced by the Places for Everyone Plan.

Trafford’s Local Plan will be expected to look ahead a minimum period from its adoption, in line with national policy. In amending the plan period from 2020 to 2037 to 2022 to 2039 the PfE Plan will provide an appropriate strategic policy framework for 1.3    Trafford’s Local Plan which will be produced, following its adoption.

The Executive commended the Executive Member for Economy and Regeneration and the Officers for immense amount of work carried out to achieve the Plan.

The Leader echoed the thanks to all the officers and colleagues across Greater Manchester Combined authorities and other local authorities which has been a long journey to this stage.

Councillor Evans made reference to the following –

(i)             with regard to HS2 and Northern Powerhouse Rail, he felt that the report suggested that HS2 had been replaced by MNPR. He asked if there had been detail on this.

(ii)            He referred to the 18 greenbelt additions had been removed and 31 had remained in. Was this as a result of campaigners or by Council design.

(iii)          The Councillor has been approached by a resident who owns land within the geography of the Plan and is concerned about the next steps. Is there a masterplan for Timperley Wedge underway in conjunction with Trafford Council.  He is aware of a resident who is concerned about the spine road which will spill out onto Thorley Lane. He asked how that will be influenced by residents and the Council.

The Executive Member for Economy and Regeneration informed Members that the local authorities put in approximately 30 sites of Greenbelt for inclusion into the plan but the majority did not meet the exceptional circumstances to warrant being allocated as Greenbelt. So it was the Inspectors decision turn those opportunities away. She would get the figures for Trafford to Councillor Evans following the meeting. She reminded Members that the Masterplans for New Carrington and Timperley Wedge are underway and she would wish to introduce the land owner to the consultant involved in that. The Executive Member reiterated that the PfE is a major piece of work and has been subject to extensive consultation.

The Corporate Director of Place informed Members that the Masterplan for New Carrington and Timperley Wedge would be submitted to the Executive for approval. He informed Members that with regard to the HS2 and Northern Powerhouse Route (NPR) there is no design line or approval for the NPR at the moment but we are working to utilise the work done for the HS2 where possible. The Director emphasised to Members that there is no route alignment for the spine road. There has been some consultation taking place but it is work underway on this and we will consult and engage with landowners and communities. On the HS2 land safeguard point, this is currently a matter for central Government.

The Leader drew Members attention to paragraph 13.2 of the report which sets out the risks if the Plan is not adopted. He emphasised the following three points which would not be in the Council’s interests –

 •        reduced ability to access funding associated with new development to provide essential infrastructure and to facilitate investment in the economy and communities of Trafford;

•         not having an up-to-date Development Plan and, associated with this, not having up-to-date policies for the supply of housing, meaning that the council has less control on planning decisions for new housing in the borough;

•         potential intervention by the Secretary of State.

He also underlined that there would be no realistic alternative options available that would be in the best interests of Trafford’s residents and businesses and communities or environments.

RESOLVED: That the Executive

(i)       Notes the findings of the Inspectors’ Report and the Main Modifications to the Places for Everyone Joint Development Plan Document proposed by the independent Inspectors, as set out in Appendix 1.1 and 1.2 to this report, for incorporation into the final version of the Places for Everyone Joint Development Plan Document.

(ii)       Notes the amendments to the Places for Everyone Joint Development Plan Document Policies Map, as set out in Appendix 2 to this report, for incorporation of all the changes which relate to Trafford’s administrative area into the Composite Policies Map.

(iii)      Notes the Additional Modifications to the Places for Everyone Joint Development Plan Document, as set out in Appendix 3 to this report, for incorporation into the final version of the Places for Everyone Joint Development Plan Document.

(iv)      Recommends that Council adopt the Places for Everyone Joint Development Plan Document 2022 – 2039 (provided in Appendix 4), with effect from 21 March 2024 – incorporating the Main Modifications and Additional Modifications – as part of the Development Plan for Trafford, in accordance with Section 23 of the Planning and Compulsory Purchase Act 2004 (as amended)

(v)      Recommends that Council adopt the Policies Map (Appendix 5) which incorporates the Modifications to it (Appendix 2) and is necessary to give effect to the policies of the Places for Everyone Joint Development Plan Document.

(vi)      Notes that delegated authority will be given to the Corporate Director of Place to make any minor non material editorial amendments to the Places for Everyone Joint Development Plan Document and Policies Map ahead of its final publication, subject to consultation and agreement with the eight other Places for Everyone authorities. These amendments will be limited to correcting minor errors and formatting text.