We’re asking you to submit a consultation response on the draft Manchester Local Plan by Monday 17 November.
This plan will shape Manchester’s development for the next 15 years—what homes get built, where they go, what kind of neighbourhoods we create, and how the city tackles issues like air quality, green space, and infrastructure. It’s one of the most important policy decisions of the next two decades.
How to respond (it’s simple!)
The quickest way is to email your comments to: planningstrategy@manchester.gov.uk.
If you want to read or comment on the full document section-by-section, you can also do that online here.
Why your response matters
Alongside our friends CLASS and Community Savers, we are part of Social Homes for Manchester, a coalition driven by communities from Collyhurst to Wythenshawe who want fairer planning and fairer housing. Many community groups are sending in responses, but it’s vital that individual residents also speak up—even if you only comment on one issue like housing, clean air, or health.
Key issues you may want to raise
Below are some of the main points we’ll be highlighting in our own response. Feel free to use these as inspiration—in your own words—when you write to the Planning Strategy Team.
1. The Local Plan isn’t accessible or inclusive enough
- Most residents don’t even know the Local Plan exists.
- The consultation website and portal are difficult to navigate, even for confident digital users.
- Ward councillors, community groups, and faith groups should receive training before consultations begin so they can gather local priorities effectively.
The council must show how people facing disadvantage are being supported to participate.
2. The plan does not go far enough to address Manchester’s housing crisis
- We welcome the council’s recent increase in social rent housing targets—thank you for this shift.
- But the current plan still falls far short. It requires only 21% of new developments (10+ homes) to be for social rent.
- Evidence shows we need 32% to meet demand.
- Over 20,000 households are on Manchester’s waiting list.
- Larger families have almost no chance of securing a home due to the shortage of 3+ bedroom social rent properties.
- New developments remain dominated by one- and two-bedroom apartments.
- Relying on “right-sizing” (encouraging single people to downsize) is too slow and uncertain.
- Meanwhile, thousands of families—including survivors of domestic abuse—are stuck in poor, unsafe, or temporary accommodation. 4,678 children in Manchester were living in temporary accommodation as of June 2025.
- The council needs stronger enforcement to prevent family homes being lost to HMOs, short-term lets, and student conversions, and should make greater use of Compulsory Purchase powers to bring empty properties into use.
3. Manchester needs clear commitments on transparency, participation, and community-led development
If the council is serious about reducing inequality, the Local Plan must commit to:
- Genuine partnership with local communities from the earliest stages of planning—e.g., through Neighbourhood Development Boards or similar models.
- A city-wide strategy to expand community-led development (housing, community centres, social infrastructure) including asset transfers, land donations, and support for community land trusts and neighbourhood plans.
Transparent, accessible information on local housing needs, development pipelines, section 106 funds, and how these investments are being used over time.
Please take a few minutes to send your response
Your voice genuinely matters. Even a short email makes a difference—especially if you speak about your own area or an issue you care deeply about.
Email your response by Monday 17 November: planningstrategy@manchester.gov.uk
Thank you for taking action for a fairer, more inclusive Manchester.
Image credit: ID 392556920 © Nicola Pulham | Dreamstime.com
