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The Romiley Gazette

FOIA/EIR Request Draft Local Plan.

Local Politicians, The Draft Local Plan Posted by Sheila OliverPosted on Wed, October 22, 2025 07:24

22nd October 2025

Dear FoI Officer

What consideration has been given by officers drawing up the Draft Local Plan to these issues:-

As Stockport Council edges closer to finalising its draft Local Plan, one of the most fiercely debated questions remains: can the borough meet its housing need without building on the Green Belt?

According to the council’s own Topic Paper, if no Green Belt land is released, Stockport could deliver about 15,761 homes over the plan period to 2039—roughly 85% of its assessed housing requirement of around 20,000. Two alternative scenarios, involving some Green Belt release, would increase delivery to 17,746 homes (95%) or 19,671 homes (105%), respectively.

At first glance, that shortfall seems to settle the argument. But recent developments—both local and national—may change the picture.

A Pipeline Already in Place

Stockport’s latest housing land supply statement (April 2024) confirms 3,847 homes are already classed as “deliverable” within the next five years. These come from existing planning permissions, sites under construction, and major town-centre regeneration projects such as Stockport 8 and the MDC’s Town Centre West scheme. While not enough to meet short-term demand, these numbers show that much of the housing pipeline is already committed without touching the Green Belt.

Immigration and Demand Pressures

Nationally, the ONS has reported that net migration fell sharply from around 860,000 in 2023 to 431,000 in 2024—a drop of about 50%. If this trend continues, population growth and household formation will slow, easing pressure on housing need across England.

Analysts suggest that if Stockport’s housing requirement fell by roughly 20–22%—the same order as the national migration slowdown—the borough’s planned brownfield capacity of 15,761 homes could actually be enough to meet need without Green Belt release. However, the council’s official projections have not yet been adjusted to reflect the latest demographic data.

The Real Challenge: Delivery, Not Just Numbers

Even if the headline housing need falls, Stockport faces a delivery challenge. Many of the planned homes are apartments in the town centre, while the greatest need is often for family houses and affordable homes across the borough. With only 1.77 years of housing supply at present, the council will need to prove it can deliver homes faster before relying solely on urban regeneration.

What It Means for Romiley and Beyond

For communities like Romiley, Bredbury and Marple, where Green Belt land has long been seen as under threat, the new data provides cautious optimism. If the lower national migration figures are sustained and if major brownfield schemes progress on schedule, Stockport might just be able to protect its green edges.

The key question for councillors and residents now is whether the Local Plan can lock in this shift—updating housing need calculations to reflect new population trends while still guaranteeing enough affordable homes for local people.

For now, the Green Belt debate isn’t over. But for the first time in years, the numbers suggest that a “brownfield-first” future for Stockport could genuinely be within reach.

Kind regards

Sheila Oliver

Editor, The Romiley Gazette
Partner, Citizens 2022 Committee

PS  I hope Liz Sykes and Katie Moores don’t get a fit of the vapours over this request.



Could Stockport Deliver New Homes Without Touching the Green Belt?

Local Politicians, The Draft Local Plan Posted by Sheila OliverPosted on Wed, October 22, 2025 07:12


22nd October 2025

As Stockport Council edges closer to finalising its draft Local Plan, one of the most fiercely debated questions remains: can the borough meet its housing need without building on the Green Belt?

According to the council’s own Topic Paper, if no Green Belt land is released, Stockport could deliver about 15,761 homes over the plan period to 2039—roughly 85% of its assessed housing requirement of around 20,000. Two alternative scenarios, involving some Green Belt release, would increase delivery to 17,746 homes (95%) or 19,671 homes (105%), respectively.

At first glance, that shortfall seems to settle the argument. But recent developments—both local and national—may change the picture.

A Pipeline Already in Place

Stockport’s latest housing land supply statement (April 2024) confirms 3,847 homes are already classed as “deliverable” within the next five years. These come from existing planning permissions, sites under construction, and major town-centre regeneration projects such as Stockport 8 and the MDC’s Town Centre West scheme. While not enough to meet short-term demand, these numbers show that much of the housing pipeline is already committed without touching the Green Belt.

Immigration and Demand Pressures

Nationally, the ONS has reported that net migration fell sharply from around 860,000 in 2023 to 431,000 in 2024—a drop of about 50%. If this trend continues, population growth and household formation will slow, easing pressure on housing need across England.

Analysts suggest that if Stockport’s housing requirement fell by roughly 20–22%—the same order as the national migration slowdown—the borough’s planned brownfield capacity of 15,761 homes could actually be enough to meet need without Green Belt release. However, the council’s official projections have not yet been adjusted to reflect the latest demographic data.

The Real Challenge: Delivery, Not Just Numbers

Even if the headline housing need falls, Stockport faces a delivery challenge. Many of the planned homes are apartments in the town centre, while the greatest need is often for family houses and affordable homes across the borough. With only 1.77 years of housing supply at present, the council will need to prove it can deliver homes faster before relying solely on urban regeneration.

What It Means for Romiley and Beyond

For communities like Romiley, Bredbury and Marple, where Green Belt land has long been seen as under threat, the new data provides cautious optimism. If the lower national migration figures are sustained and if major brownfield schemes progress on schedule, Stockport might just be able to protect its green edges.

The key question for councillors and residents now is whether the Local Plan can lock in this shift—updating housing need calculations to reflect new population trends while still guaranteeing enough affordable homes for local people.

For now, the Green Belt debate isn’t over. But for the first time in years, the numbers suggest that a “brownfield-first” future for Stockport could genuinely be within reach.



Editorial: Stockport Deserves Better Than Grey Belt Spin.

Local Politicians, Padden Brook, The Draft Local Plan, Vexatious Posted by Sheila OliverPosted on Wed, October 22, 2025 06:16

22nd October 2025

Last week, the Labour Government published its Local Plan for Stockport — and in doing so, quietly tore up one of the borough’s most cherished protections. More than a third of Stockport’s green belt has been rebadged as “grey belt,” a bureaucratic sleight of hand that strips away hard-won safeguards and throws open the door to large-scale development.

Let’s be clear: everyone recognises the need for new homes. But what Stockport needs are affordable homes — homes that young families, key workers, and older residents can actually live in — not rows of developer-led executive houses eating into fields, woodlands, and green spaces.

Lisa Smart MP has spoken out against the plan, rightly warning that this Labour Government is “getting it wrong.” She has launched a petition calling for the protection of our green spaces and for housing that truly meets local need. Her words strike a chord with residents across Romiley, Marple, and Bredbury, who see what’s happening on the ground and feel powerless to stop it.

Yet many are also asking: where was this energy when the destruction of W1 protected woodland began more than 14 months ago? The silence then contrasts sharply with today’s petitions and press releases. Communities want consistent leadership — not selective outrage.

As for the petition, it may draw attention and build pressure, but history shows that petitions alone rarely shift national or local planning policy. The Local Plan process is a long, formal one, shaped by consultations and inspectors rather than public signatures. Still, a groundswell of opposition can make a difference — especially if it turns into sustained, organised resistance.

The people of Stockport deserve a Local Plan that delivers the right homes in the right places, protects our environment, and listens to residents — not developers. The “grey belt” label may sound harmless, but make no mistake: it’s the green belt by another name, and once it’s gone, it’s gone for good.



The Draft Local Plan – FOIA/EIR Requests Submitted.

The Draft Local Plan Posted by Sheila OliverPosted on Tue, October 21, 2025 08:23

21st October 2025

Dear Stockport Council FOI Team,

Under the Freedom of Information Act 2000, I would like to request the following information relating to housing proposed in the Draft Local Plan for Stockport:

  1. The number of new dwellings proposed under the Draft Local Plan, broken down by tenure type (e.g. owner-occupied, affordable rent, social rent, shared ownership, private rent, or other categories).
  2. Any available assessments, reports, or data held by the Council that estimate or model how many of the proposed new homes are likely to be delivered as private rental or buy-to-let properties.
  3. Any internal or external correspondence, briefing notes, or reports (produced since January 2023) discussing the potential impact of buy-to-let investment or high private rents on local housing affordability, particularly for Stockport residents or housing benefit recipients.
  4. Any policies, clauses, or mechanisms proposed or considered by the Council to prevent excessive buy-to-let ownership or to ensure a proportion of new homes are available at affordable rents or for local buyers.

If parts of this request exceed the statutory cost limit, please process the remaining parts within the limit and advise how I may refine the request.

Please provide all information in electronic format.

Thank you for your time and assistance.

Kind regards,

Sheila Oliver

PS, I do hope this request doesn’t give Liz Sykes, Vicki Bates or Katie Moores a fit of the vapours.

Dear Sir or Madam

Romiley Residents Call for Brownfield First as 3,000 Homes Remain Unbuilt.

What consideration did those councillors/council officers  involved in the Draft Local Plan give to the issue of the huge number of houses in Stockport given planning permission but not built?

I do hope this request doesn’t annoy Vicki Bates, Liz Sykes or Katie Moores.

Kind regards

Sheila

Editor, The Romiley Gazette



New Homes in the Draft Local Plan Raise Fears of Buy-to-Let Rents and Lock-out for Locals

The Draft Local Plan Posted by Sheila OliverPosted on Tue, October 21, 2025 08:03

21st October 2025

A controversial plan by Stockport Metropolitan Borough Council (SMBC) to build 15,761 new homes by 2041 as part of its draft local plan has prompted deep concern among Romiley residents — not only because of the pressure on green belt land, but also over the risk that many of these homes will be snapped up by investors and let at high rents, placing further strain on locals already priced out of the market. Stockport Liberal Democrats+3Stockport Nub News+3Stockport Nub News+3

Rising Numbers, Rising Worries

The council’s draft document outlines a target of 15,761 homes — with approximately half planned for brownfield sites in the town centre, and the rest requiring expansion beyond the existing built-up area. Stockport Nub News+1
Villages and suburbs such as Romiley are watching closely, as some of the new sites under consideration verge on green belt or “grey belt” classification, and there is unease about the type of homes that will arrive — who they will be for, and at what cost.

The Investor Trap?

Residents are voicing fears that rather than providing affordable housing for local families and renters, the new homes will be bought by landlords or investment funds and let at high market rents — undermining efforts to tackle local housing shortages and putting pressure on housing benefit budgets. One Reddit comment captured the sentiment:

“There’s thousands more of these apartments planned … minimum £1k a month rent. Of course it is not made for locals.” Reddit
While this is anecdotal, the underlying concern is real: when major developments focus on “aspirational” homes or rental units backed by profit goals, the local renting population and people seeking ownership can be pushed further away.

What the Council Says

SMBC emphasises that the plan will seek to meet housing need and regenerate neglected land. The council’s “brownfield-first” rhetoric remains prominent: “We do not walk through our Green Belt in awe of the legal classification… Repackaging our Green Belt so developers can make a profit says everything we need to know about this Labour Government,” said Cllr Mark Roberts. Stockport Liberal Democrats+1
However, the scale of the housing target has increased dramatically — the annual requirement has reportedly almost doubled to around 1,900 homes per year. ManchesterWorld+1
Critically for Romiley and similar suburbs, the draft plan does not guarantee that all new homes will meet the needs of local renters or first-time buyers. The policy outline mentions “a broad choice of homes across all tenures” including private rent, shared ownership and affordable homes. stockportmdc.co.uk

Why Romiley Residents Should Be Concerned

  • Affordable housing risk: If large numbers of units are absorbed by the private investor market, rents may rise and genuine affordable housing may remain limited.
  • Housing benefit pressure: Expensive private rents often imply higher housing benefit payments, which may be unsustainable for the council or public purse.
  • Local displacement: Existing residents looking to rent or buy may face increased competition from outside or investor-backed demand.
  • Infrastructure burden: More housing — especially high-rent units attracting commuters or external renters — may add strain to schools, transport, medical services and roads without adequate planning.
  • Loss of control: If the council has limited influence over the tenure mix (owner-occupation vs private rent), the community may lose control of how housing serves its residents.

What Can Be Done?

Community voices are already gathering. To safeguard local interests, residents of Romiley should consider:

  • Taking part in the council’s forthcoming consultation on the draft local plan (scheduled for 6 Nov–21 Dec 2025) so that tenure, affordability and local letting concerns are raised. Stockport Nub News+1
  • Lobbying for stronger “local-let” requirements in planning permissions, so that a portion of rental units are reserved for local residents at affordable rents.
  • Asking the council to publish detailed tenure-mix proposals: what proportion of new homes will be owner-occupied, “affordable”, or private rent?
  • Ensuring robust obligations or covenants within planning agreements so that units don’t immediately switch to buy-to-let portfolios without oversight.
  • Monitoring the types of homes being built — e.g., studios/flats designed solely for renting may indicate investor targeting rather than family living.
  • Pressuring for infrastructure funding and transport commitments in tandem with new housing so that Romiley isn’t over-burdened.

Conclusion

The draft local plan by Stockport Council aims to deliver much-needed housing, but as always, “the devil is in the detail”. For Romiley — and the many local residents who already face rising rents, limited choice and housing uncertainty — there is a real and present risk that without careful tenure and rent control, these new homes will become an investor windfall, not a community gain.

As this process moves forward, it matters that local voices are heard loud and clear: homes for local people, not just homes for profit.

Romiley Gazette will continue to monitor developments and invite reader feedback on how the community wants to shape housing in our area.

Related housing & planning news in Stockport

'Grey belt is a misnomer': Stockport divided on Labour's housing plans

theguardian.com

‘Grey belt is a misnomer’: Stockport divided on Labour’s housing plans



Romiley Residents Call for Brownfield First as 3,000 Homes Remain Unbuilt.

The Draft Local Plan Posted by Sheila OliverPosted on Tue, October 21, 2025 07:49

21st October 2025

Residents across Romiley and the wider Stockport area are questioning why precious green belt land continues to be eyed for development when thousands of already-approved homes remain unbuilt.

According to Stockport Council’s latest Housing Land Supply Position Statement (April 2024), there are 3,387 dwellings with planning permission on larger sites—many within the borough’s urban footprint—that have yet to be completed. When town-centre schemes are included, the total rises to 3,847 homes counted in the borough’s five-year housing land supply.

Campaigners argue that these figures show Stockport does not need to sacrifice its green belt to meet housing targets. “We’re not against new homes,” said one Romiley resident, “but it makes no sense to release green fields while approved developments sit empty and unused. The focus should be on getting those sites built out first.”

The data published by the council only covers larger sites of five or more dwellings, meaning the true number of unbuilt permissions—once smaller plots are included—is likely even higher. Residents are now calling for greater transparency and action from the council to ensure that brownfield and already-approved sites are prioritised.

Romiley’s green belt forms a vital buffer between Stockport’s urban areas and the open countryside beyond. Local people say it is key to the area’s character, biodiversity, and wellbeing. With new housing numbers under constant review, community groups are urging councillors to protect the borough’s green spaces and to press developers to deliver on permissions already granted.

“It’s time for a brownfield-first policy in practice, not just in principle,” one campaigner added. “Let’s build where it makes sense—and keep Romiley green.”