Stockport council to launch green belt review ahead of changes to planning laws

manchestereveningnews.co.uk:

Stockport council is set to launch a review of its green belt land ahead of proposed changes to national planning laws. Councillors will meet on November 25 to sign off on a ‘more detailed update and review of the green belt’ before the government shares an update to the National Planning Policy Framework (NPPF), which is expected to be published before Christmas or in early 2025.

Proposed changes to the NPPF could mean the council needs more land to boost housing and employment. The green belt review will take place as the council looks to restart work on a local plan for housing. READ MORE: Frustration grows as town gets another development with no affordable homes Areas of green belt previously looked at for new homes include the former Woodford Aerodrome, Heald Green East and West, High Lane, Jackson’s Lane and Sandown Road in Hazel Grove, and the former Offerton High School.

Stockport’s draft local plan was delayed in August when Labour announced plans for new housebuilding targets. The local plan aims to build 15,000 homes in the borough over the next 15 years, with 8,000 of these based in the town centre.

But the new housebuilding targets could mean the council needs to build nearly 2,000 homes a year, up from the 1,000 currently being planned.