Stockport Labour renews calls for Local Plan as Liberal Democrat Council’s poor housing policy exposed again over Mirrlees Fields
Navendu Mishra MP and Cllr David Meller renewed their calls today for a Local Plan to tackle Stockport’s housing crisis as further consequences arose from the Liberal Democrat Council’s mismanagement of housing.
In 2022 Stockport Council rejected developer MAN Energy’ Solutions’ application to build 200 homes on Mirrlees Fields. On Wednesday 24th January 2024, the independent Planning Inspector approved the developers’ appeal against this decision. The report states that its decision aims to address a clear lack of both affordable housing and space to build within the borough. It reasoned that Stockport possesses significantly less land for development than that which is needed. The report also attributed ‘very significant weight’ in its decision to the development’s plans to provide affordable housing, given the presence of what it termed ‘a significant shortfall of supply’.
This follows years of Liberal Democrat and Conservative indecision. In December 2020 Liberal Democrat and Conservative councillors successfully voted for Stockport to pull out of the Greater Manchester Spatial Framework, depriving the borough of funds and the ability to co-ordinate on housing with the rest of the city region. In December 2022 the Liberal Democrats paused their Local Plan for Housing, which was scheduled to outline plans for building affordable homes and allocate land to this. This has left the Council far short of its house building goals, and sites such as Mirrlees Fields open to development.
Stockport Council’s defeat in this appeal has cost Stockport’s council tax payers dearly. While Liberal Democrat leader of the Council, Councillor Mark Hunter has repeatedly claimed that delaying the Local Plan was financially prudent, this appeal has cost the Council an estimated six-figure sum when also factoring in the use of council officer time.
Navendu Mishra, Labour MP for Stockport, said:
“Liberal Democrat and Conservative Councillors voted down the Greater Manchester Spatial Framework in December 2020. Then the Liberal Democrat administration in Stockport Town Hall dithered and delayed over publishing a Local Plan which would deliver the social housing our town desperately needs.
“Poor decisions for more than three years have left Stockport Council vulnerable to legal challenges from developers and saddled our borough with six-figure bills for the cost of the appeal. This has reduced vital funds available for core services and done nothing to address Stockport’s housing crisis.”
Cllr David Mellor, Leader of Stockport Labour Group, said:
“This decision is utterly damning on the Lib Dem administration. Their reckless behaviour is now catching up with them and it’s damaging Stockport.
“The Planning Inspector, who is independent of government, is clear: if we had an up-to-date Local Plan, we’d be delivering enough homes in the right places and most importantly, we’d be delivering more affordable homes for Stockport residents.
“Because the Lib Dems didn’t back the Greater Manchester Spatial Framework and have dragged their feet over a Local Plan, council taxpayers are facing another massive bill – probably well into six figures – because the council’s been forced to defend an indefensible planning decision. This is money being taken away from basic services: clearing our gullies and drains, managing our highways and helping those most in need.
“This week’s decision is on the Lib Dems. If we had a Local Plan, Mirrlees Fields wouldn’t have been on the table. They’ve wasted council taxpayers’ money, a huge amount of time and led residents up the garden path.
“It’s time we have a sensible, grown-up discussion that ensures Stockport has enough housing – including affordable, social and council housing – right across the borough so everyone has the chance for somewhere decent to live. Stockport Labour is ready to show that leadership.”
Notes for Editors:
Planning Inspectorate, Appeal Decision relating to Mirrlees Fields, 25th January 2024: https://acp.planninginspectorate.gov.uk/ViewDocument.aspx?fileid=55771127
Letter to Councillor Mark Hunter from Navendu Mishra MP regarding the Council’s Housing Policy, dated 18th January 2024: https://twitter.com/NavPMishra/status/1748034572208439607
Stockport Council, ‘Statement from Stockport Council on its Local Plan’, (Decision to cancel Local Plan), December 2022:
https://www.stockport.gov.uk/news/statement-stockport-local-plan-latest-december-16-2022#:~:text=The%20council%20has%20taken%20the,areas%20and%20in%20particular%20the
BBC News, ‘Stockport Votes Against Greater Manchester Spatial Framework Plan’, December 2020: https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-england-manchester-55171926
