Lib-Dems welcome promise of special council meeting on Labour’s green belt homes plan

The Greater Manchester Spatial Framework is set to impact massively on the Oldham Borough

The Leader of the Opposition and Leader of the Liberal Democrat Group on Oldham Council, Councillor Howard Sykes MBE, has welcomed confirmation from the Leader of Oldham Council that a special meeting of the full Council will be called with a one-item agenda to discuss Labour’s green belt homes plan.

The plan, called the Greater Manchester Spatial Framework, is set to impact massively on the Oldham Borough.

Responding to a letter sent from Councillor Sykes on July 22 asking once more if such a meeting would be convened soon, and when, the Leader has replied in writing confirming that ‘an extraordinary meeting of the full council (will be held) with a single item agenda to discuss the plans, and that it will take place as an addition to this year’s council meeting cycle’. 

The Council Leader also indicated that this meeting will ‘take place on a date this side of the council meeting scheduled for November 4. 

Councillor Sykes first asked the Leader for the special meeting at the Full Council meeting in September 2018, and again in December of that year. 

Councillor Sykes said: “The Greater Manchester Spatial Framework will, aside from coronavirus, have the greatest impact of any issue on Oldham and its people, for 20 years. 

"Under the current plans of the Labour Greater Manchester Mayor and the leaders of the ten Greater Manchester local authorities, thousands of new homes will be built on green belt over two decades. 

"This is an issue that has galvanised many of this Borough’s residents to march and protest to save the green belt. 

"They can be sure that Oldham’s Liberal Democrat Councillors will be on their side when this issue is debated at this special meeting – we want no development on our irreplaceable Green Belt."

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