Court case leaves future of huge 15-year housing plan in the balance
A court case is challenging Andy Burnham's 15-year housing plan, Places for Everyone (PfE), which aims to develop housing across nine Greater Manchester boroughs, primarily on brownfield sites but also some green belt land. Campaigners argue that the plan inadequately considers the cancellation of HS2's Manchester leg and other procedural issues. The judicial review could potentially quash the plan.
A judicial review launched by campaigners has thrown Andy Burnham’s 15-year housing blueprint for Greater Manchester into jeopardy, with the plan’s future now resting on a judge’s pending decision.
The Places for Everyone (PfE) scheme, which would see tens of thousands of new homes built across nine boroughs using a ‘brownfield land first’ approach with some green belt development, faced its first court challenge yesterday at Manchester Civil Justice Centre. Save Greater Manchester Green Belt Ltd is contesting the government’s approval of the plan, arguing that inspectors failed to properly consider the impact of Rishi Sunak’s cancellation of the Manchester leg of HS2.
“We say there is an unequivocal promise that all main modifications are subject to public consultation, and the inspectors will not issue his report until that consultation,” Jenny Wigley KC, representing the campaigners, told the court. “The inspectors do not give the public a chance to comment on the extent of HS2’s withdrawal affects PfE. It’s a very cursory look at the issue with no in-depth analysis. It’s at very least arguable there was a failure to follow guidance without good reason.”
The campaign group also challenges how housing targets were interpreted for the plan’s conclusion in the late 2030s and whether the process should have restarted after Stockport council withdrew in late 2020. They particularly object to the removal of Timperley Wedge from green belt protection, which they claim was done to ‘capitalise on HS2’.
Chris Katkowski, representing the nine supporting councils, the mayor’s office, GMCA, and the Ministry of Housing, Communities, and Local Government, countered that the plan was “not based on HS2” and that its cancellation did not represent “a fundamental change in circumstance.”
Mr Justice Fordham concluded the renewal hearing without an immediate ruling, with his written decision to follow. The case could proceed to a full judicial review, which might result in the entire £multi-billion plan being quashed.
Source: Read original article