All Change, Manchester Rethinks Its Planning Strategy
Beware, Manchester’s political leaders are about to rethink its planning strategy.
Work is about to begin on the first major review of the city’s development plan since it was adopted in 2012.
The new Local Plan will regulate new development over the next 15 to 20 years and will replace the city’s current core strategy. It will aim to achieve a zero carbon Manchester by 2038 and cope with a city population estimated to reach 635,000 by 2025.
An initial eight week public consultation will begin on Friday 7 February leading to a draft plan that is expected to be prepared by this winter.
A final draft plan will be published in summer or autumn of 2021 for a formal statutory consultation, ahead of submission to the Secretary of State.
The council has already been riven by pressure to change its traditionally relaxed approach to new development, whilst some parts of the city including the Northern Quarter and Gay Village have experienced a backlash against large-scale schemes.
The new plan will provide an opportunity for politicians to assert control of new development classes such as co-living.
