THREAD: @greatermcr has agreed to what they hope will be the final draft of the long-delayed, and much-debated, Greater Manchester Spatial Framework. Councillors will debate the plan next month before it goes to public consultation in December. 1/ https://www.manchestereveningnews.co.uk/news/greater-manchester-news/latest-version-greater-manchesters-masterplan-19155919?utm_source=twitter.com&utm_medium=social&utm_campaign=sharebar

. @AndyBurnhamGM says that the plan is significantly different to the one proposed in 2016, and that leaders have listened to residents in previous consultations. "We want to bring this matter to a conclusion." Quips that only Brexit has been as hotly debated as the GMSF. 2/

Around 4,000 households are living in temporary accommodation across GM says @salford_mayor. More than 99,000 on housing waiting lists, with over 100 still sleeping rough. "We have to challenge ourselves around how we plan for tackling the housing and homelessness crisis." 3/

Mayor Dennett also urges against 'playing party politics' with the plan, as many long debates expected in GM town halls next month. "We could end up with a disaster in terms of planning by appeal, costing councils a fortune, and some of our most valuable land being built on." 4/

The threat of developers 'winning precious green belt on appeal' was also raised by Cllr David Greenhalgh, Tory leader of @boltoncouncil. "This has been a huge piece of cross-party work," he says, and adds that the scheme will benefit the whole of his borough. 5/

Bury's @Eamonn_OB says the latest version leaves over half of the borough's green belt untouched from a 'developer free-for-all', and that it will strike a good balance between meeting housing need and developing economic growth. "This is a once in a generation opportunity." 6/

Again fears of a political pushback are raised by Oldham leader @cllrsfielding. "It's clear that those amongst some of the campaigners simply use the opportunity [the GMSF] presents as a stick to beat longstanding political opponents, which is disappointing." 7/

Rochdale council leader Cllr Alan Brett said the GMSF was "fundamental for the Rochdale's future economic development, making sure it is a prosperous and active borough over the next 10, 15 to 20 years". 8/

. @tmbc_leader fears that the considerable work put into the GMSF has been overshadowed by negativity. "What we have to do is remind people of all the very positve aspects that having a spatial framework in Greater Manchester gives us." 9/

Just a clarification on an earlier tweet in this thread, @Eamonn_OB said half of Bury will REMAIN within the green belt, and that 91pc of the green belt in the borough will be protected. Apologies for confusion. 10/