Greater Manchester Spatial Framework

From 2017 planning decisions will be the responsibility of the Greater Manchester Combined Authorities (GMCA); consultations have been under way to identify possible sites for housing, industrial and infrastructure projects to 2035. The 10 local council planning authorities across Greater Manchester have signed up to the building of more housing as part of a regional growth strategy…

An exercise to identify and build a database of potential sites was initiated - this is not unusual, most planning rounds start with identifying and prioritising possible sites for development. The new Greater Manchester Land Commission will oversee how the public sector estate will be best used.

Second Draft Consultation (2019)

In January 2019 the second draft of the Greater Manchester Spatial Framework was released, this had more focus on brownfield and town centre development. Green sites were removed and some alternative sites around Westhoughton proposed - Bewshill Farm (Over Hulton) (GMA4) extra land for Logistics North at Cutacre; employment land at Chequerbent North (GMA5) and West of Wingates/ M61 Junction 6 (GMA6). Sites at Bowlands Hey, Lee Hall and Hulton Park were all removed from second draft, however theses sites have successfully appealed housing applications (Hulton Park going to Public Enquiry in October).

An eight-week consultation has begun ending 18th March. Information can be found here >>
Documents | Bolton Allocations | Overview | Consultation | GM Mapping.

First Draft (2016)

The call for sites exercise has brought forward the allocations viewable on the online zoomable map. The screenshot below is the Westhoughton area. Sites have been submitted by local authorities such as Bolton Council (red/orange blocks), and by developers and land-owners (purple blocks). Whilst the council submitted sites include some existing allocations, known brownfield sites and some fill-in sites, the submissions from developers and landowners are extensive and would - if accepted - lead to the loss of surrounding protected open land and some green belt.

This is a consultation with a report expected in October 2016, with new targets for building across Greater Manchester for development up to 2035. However, the revised GMSF had been delayed due to public concerns over quantity of building, lack of support infrastructure and in particular incursions in to the green belt. It was due in July 2018, but now due to analysis showing a slower population growth for Greater Manchester than previously predicted, the revised GMSF is now expected to be published in October 2018. Notwithstanding the significant development approved since 2017 on previously 'Protected Open Land', the impact on Westhoughton could be significant. It should be noted also that there could be considerable development activity on the border - Atherton and Hindley (Wigan Council) - adding significantly to potential through-traffic and strain on the travel infrastructure.

A further 'call for sites' was made during the summer (black) - updated and wider area map from November 2016 here.

Update (21/10/16): 320-page consultation released for development across the Greater Manchester area over the next 20 years. Significant housing development planned for around Westhoughton at Lee Hall and Hulton Park (2,700 dwellings); Bowlands Hey (1,000) and West Gibfield (750). Link road ('bypass') to Chequerbent roundabout from Lee Hall/Atherton. The plan is supported by the 10 Local Authorities that make up AGMA - Bolton accounting for 7% of the 227,000 dwelling target over the plan period. Lee Hall and Bowlands Hey losing their Protected Open Land status and Hulton Park ceasing to be Green Belt. Integrated Assessment of the Greater Manchester Spatial Framework Full Report (332 pages | 12 MB) | Greater Manchester Spatial Framework Executive Summary (12 pages | 1 MB).

Westhoughton-related sections:
Chequerbent and Hulton Park | West of Westhoughton (Bowlands Hey) | West of Gibfield (Southern Border) | M61 Junction 6 (West of Wingates ) - employment.

Bordering Westhoughton to the west, there are GMSF allocations at Hindley which may have an impact: Liverpool Road (Hindley) | New Springs (Hindley).

These sites in addition to the significant developments planned at North Leigh Park (mixed inc. 1,800 homes) and South Hindley Urban Village (mixed inc. 2,000 homes) - both sites falling on the proposed southern route linking to M58 and Atherleigh Way - the potential impact on local roads and infrastructure in Westhoughton cannot be ignored.

This road is not a bypass route as per the previously proposed A5225 dual carriageway (M58-M61) route officially shelved in 2007.

Consultation now closed (deadline 16/1/17) - Download Consultation Information. Following wide-spread concerns about the plan and the election of a new Greater Manchester Mayor, the review of the draft consultation has been delayed, and a re-write possible. This delay is having some impact on existing Local Plans which may need reviewing and updating in light of some authorities', such as Bolton, not meeting their 5-year planning targets.

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