Mark Burton (@marhburton.bsky.social)

Manchester’s Local Plan – responding to the consultation Local Plans are what guide the pattern of a land use and and building across a council area. In the case of Greater Manchester (excluding Stockport), the Joint Strategic Plan, Places for Everyone sets the scene, as does the government’s National Planning Policy Framework. That means that there are some very real constraints on what can be put into a so-called Local Plan (not very local – in the case of Manchester it covers the whole city). Manchester’s Draft Local Plan has been published and is out for consultation until 17 November. This page on the council website has all the links you need to read the plan, comment on it, and (much further down the page) check the supporting documents: https://www.manchester.gov.uk/info/200074/planning/6572/local_plan/2 (opens in a new tab). We have written **our draft response** – it might change somewhat before submission but we think it worth sharing it as you might find it helpful in making your own submission. You can respond to the consultation using the online form or by sending a response by email – all the information you need is on that council page. **Our draft response** notes some glaring problems. They include the underlying model of continued economic growth and the continuing building frenzy; unsubstantiated housing targets (handed down by central government), although we do support the emphasis on social housing for those homes that do need to be provided; an acceptance that aviation will continue to grow and the wager of economic prosperity on the back of this poisoned chalice – and !! no consultation question on this; an overemphasis on functional zoning instead of a more locality focus such as the 20 minute neighbourhood model; flawed assumptions on compensating for damage to nature and biodiversity…. and more. Do take a look at our thoughts. We don’t answer every question, and you don’t need to either. And then do put your own response in (links above) however brief. ### Share this: * Click to share on Mastodon (Opens in new window) Mastodon * Click to share on X (Opens in new window) X * Click to share on Facebook (Opens in new window) Facebook * Click to print (Opens in new window) Print * Click to email a link to a friend (Opens in new window) Email * Click to share on LinkedIn (Opens in new window) LinkedIn * Like Loading... ### _Related_ https://steadystatemanchester.net/2025/10/27/manchesters-local-plan-responding-to-the-consultation/