Lib-Dem leader urges Government to rubber-stamp Oldham's Places for Everyone withdrawal

Oldham Council’s leadership has now formally asked the government to withdraw from Places for Everyone

Oldham Liberal Democrat leader, Councillor Howard Sykes MBE, has written to the government following the Council’s decision to withdraw from Places for Everyone – Greater Manchester’s controversial housing development scheme. 

In a letter to the Ministry for Housing, Communities and Local Government (MHCLG), Councillor Sykes explained why residents and councillors had taken the decision to vote against Places for Everyone in Oldham and urged the government to reinstate Oldham’s green belt boundaries to their original state. 

Councillor Sykes said: “Oldham Council’s Labour leadership has now formally asked the government to withdraw from Places for Everyone. 

"But the letter they sent offers no explanation of Oldham’s position at all.

“I have set out the facts that should inform the government’s decision. 

"Places for Everyone is a developer led plan which will prioritise unaffordable housing on green belt land. 

"Not only should it be revoked – as Oldham has now requested – but our green belt boundaries should be put back to where they were.”

The decision as to whether or not Oldham will be removed from Places for Everyone now rests with Labour Secretary ofc State and Deputy Prime Minister Angela Rayner MP. 

In his letter, ouncillor Sykes wrote: “I believe it would be undemocratic to refuse Oldham’s decision to withdraw from Places for Everyone and any government decision not to uphold this request would severely damage public confidence in democratic institutions.

“I ask you therefore to wholeheartedly support Oldham Council’s request to withdraw from Places for Everyone.” 

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