Yesterday I pressed the Prime Minister, in the final Prime Minister's Questions before Parliament dissolves for the General Election, for further assurances that the government will prioritise building on brownfield sites and protect our green belt, continuing my campaign against the threat from the Greater Manchester Spatial Framework.

The Spatial Framework proposes to build 8,100 new homes on the green belt in Cheadle Hulme, Woodford and Heald Green. I have always been opposed to the indiscriminate development of our green belt and instead supported the prioritisation and incentivising of building on brownfield sites.

I highlighted to the Prime Minister the strength of concern from the 3,600 Cheadle residents who signed my petition, which called for these plans to be looked at again.

The Prime Minister responded saying: “My Honourable Friend is absolutely right on this issue and I know that she has been a strong campaigner and a strong champion for her constituents in Cheadle, and I can assure her that we are very clear that the green belt must be protected.”

I am delighted that The Prime Minister has shown her commitment to protecting our green belt, and has praised the efforts I have made locally to push for brownfield first. I hope that in light of this and the strength of feeling shown by local residents, that the Greater Manchester Spatial Framework will be radically altered and protect our green belt for years to come.