The leader of Stockport council has defended the local authority amid allegations that public money is being wasted on bids to protect the green belt. The Labour group has criticised the town hall over a government-approved delay to the delivery of a Local Plan, a major planning document that outlines development and growth across the borough.
Legal setbacks and costs
In recent weeks, the council was ordered to pay £28,000 after it lost its appeal of a Planning Inspectorate decision to allow the Woodford Garden Village development to move forward. In a decision, Justice Timothy Mould said the council's 'overarching submission under this ground identifies no arguable error of law'. The council has, in the past, been accused of 'being asleep at the wheel'.
The town hall has said it is working relentlessly to deliver a plan against a backdrop of obstacles created by national government, and the new deadline was 'incredibly tight to work with'. If the plan is not delivered, the government has threatened to intervene.
Labour criticism
In a joint statement, Stockport MP Navendu Mishra and Labour group leader Rachel Wise criticised the Liberal Democrat-run local authority, pointing to nearly 10,000 people on social housing waiting lists. They said: "While some parts of the borough have seen significant levels of development, opposition to housing growth elsewhere has delayed decisions and prevented a balanced approach to meeting housing need across Stockport."
They highlighted the overturning of council decisions to refuse developments on the Mirrlees Fields and Gatley Golf Club schemes, as well as the Woodford Garden Village loss. In a separate letter, Mr Mishra said: "These cases represent a substantial waste of public money."
Council response
Lib Dem town hall leader Coun Mark Roberts said the extension granted by the government brought Stockport council in line with other local authorities. He said Conservative and Labour government decisions 'have caused great instability in local planning'. He added: "We have always acknowledged the need for more homes in our borough, but unlike Labour, we have consistently argued that residents should be consulted properly about developments that change their area forever. Development should be done with the communities' best interest at its heart."
He said the council will challenge planning applications where, given legal advice, it is in the public interest to do so, and that it is not appropriate to simply roll over when there are legitimate concerns with applications.
