Huge masterplan that will dictate next few decades of new housing in Greater Manchester could be delayed AGAIN

The huge masterplan that will dictate the next few decades of new housing in Greater Manchester could be delayed AGAIN.

The Places for Everyone plan, which will see 175,000 new homes built has been the subject of an eight-month examination process.

The secretary of state made modifications to the plans, which are currently undergoing a consultation period ending December 6.

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Once public feedback has been gathered, a report will be sent to the government. It will then be whether further deliberation is needed, Anne Morgan, head of planning strategy at the Greater Manchester Combined Authority told the region's planning and housing commission.

She said that extra deliberation sessions led up to the pre-election period known as purdah, a decision may only be finalised after the local elections in May 2024. Key council decisions are not usually announced during this time.

Council bosses hope further hearings are not required by examiners and a decision can finally be agreed in early 2024.

The plan's predecessor, the Greater Manchester Spatial Framework, went through several rounds of consultation before Stockport council pulled out in 2020, leaving the other nine boroughs in the region to come up with a new one.

The revised plan, which was subject to months of public hearings starting last year, would see more than 2,000 hectares of land taken out of the green belt.

“This has clearly been a long process and we are now at an advanced stage,” Anne Morgan said. “Once they’ve finalised their deliberations they will issue their final decision.

“We are hoping to get that early in