The Leader and Cabinet Member for Strategic Growth recommended the Members take questions of all three reports together, Member agreed with this approach.
Councillor O’Brien introduced the reports and explained that as we have heard tonight, these big decisions do cause questions and concerns.
The papers for the meeting are the detailed development frameworks that start to fill in some of the gaps around infrastructure that is required and what safeguards and assurances we can give to the public to ensure we get the right things in at the right time.
Councillor Vernon advised that members of Overview and Scrutiny Committee had a long discussion about the framework at their meeting on 10 February 2026. Queries and concerns raised at the committee covered biodiversity, infrastructure, housing and housing density. Members considered the format of publication.
The Overview and Scrutiny Committee thanked officers for their work and Councillor Vernon confirmed that a further scrutiny meeting will be held to discuss the plans again as well as the Bury West Transport Framework and the Local Plan.
Councillor O’Brien agreed that the frequently asked question accompanying the consultation document would be amended and confirmed this has been completed.
Councillor Mike Smith queried the living wage and that many properties are unaffordable for residents.
Councillor O’Brien advised that the technical definition of ‘affordable housing’ is subjective. For some people it is affordable for others it isn’t. The Council have to use planning language and terminology.
Councillor Mike Smith queried what protections were in place to prevent land banking?
Councillor O’Brien confirmed that the legal powers to the Council are limited. Developers leading on the sites have spent a lot of time, money and effort to get to this stage. Council would work to ensure these risks are limited as far as possible.
Councillor Quinn highlighted there will be a problem with a shortage of skilled individuals to undertake the building work.
Councillor O’Brien confirmed that work is being carried out in Greater Manchester to ensure skills supply is there to meet the demand alongside a £10m pot from government to focus on construction skills.
We have also had confirmation that a technical excellence college in Wigan and Leigh is being set up. The Leader is also convening a meeting with Councillor Craig and Councillor Dennett to develop this work.
Councillor O’Brien confirmed a range of property types, tenures and densities were needed to support rented and supported housing.
Councillor Morris commented that a case was made that this development wasn’t needed in Walshaw, which the council agreed with. This was overruled by the planning inspectorate. Councillor Morris is pleased to see the framework come forward and will be encouraging residents to engage with the consultation.
Councillor Lucy Smith commented that this is not just talking about houses, it’s talking about how we create homes and communities.
Councillor Arif expressed concerns that green belt land is not just waiting to be built on. These areas cannot be replaced once destroyed and the council must use brownfield land first.
Councillor O’Brien commented that this isn’t a repeat debate about Places for Everyone as the principles have been agreed and reminded Members that over half of the Borough would remain as green belt.
Each recommendation was considered as follows -
Decision Cabinet:
1. Approved the draft Walshaw Development Framework Supplementary Planning Document (Appendix 1) as the basis for public consultation for six week period commencing on 13th February 2026.
2. Delegated power to the Executive Director of Place to make minor nonmaterial editorial amendments to the draft Walshaw Development Framework Supplementary Planning Document before consultation commences.
Reasons for decision
To enable stakeholders to have the opportunity to submit comments on the draft Walshaw Development Framework and to comply with the statutory requirements for consultation.
Alternative options considered and rejected
To not approve the WDF for consultation. This would prevent stakeholders from commenting on the WDF and would prevent the Council from being able to proceed to adopt the WDF as a Supplementary Planning Document because it is a statutory requirement that such documents must be consulted on before adoption.