Greater Manchester plan for jobs, homes…and the environment?

After several delays the Greater Manchester Combined Authority has published the new draft of its Spatial Framework. The previous version, published in late 2016 met considerable criticism, especially from groups campaigning on green space but also from other quarters, including our own critique of its assumptions of accelerated “economic growth”. On the other side the […]

The Mayor’s Green Summit: a balance sheet

Guest article from Steady State Manchester: I attended the Greater Manchester Mayor’s Green City Summit on 21 March: here is a quick review.  The event was, as you’d expect, a mixed bag, with good and bad aspects. It is too soon to make an assessment but here, from a Viable Economy perspective, are the important […]

Mayoral candidates for Greater Manchester on the environment

Air pollution produced in Greater Manchester (GM) has both local and global effects. Air pollutants such as nitrogen dioxide and particulate matter, which are produced in vehicle exhaust fumes, contribute to the ill health and death of many in the region, while the carbon dioxide produced as a result of travelling in vehicles or using […]

Manchester’s Green Belt under threat – Sites of Biological Importance could be built over

Development plans for Greater Manchester threaten the destruction of green belt land, near Manchester Airport, containing Sites of Biological Importance (SBI). Marl Pit is an important freshwater breeding site for the rare great crested newt. Sunbank Wood is a popular walking area with remnants of ancient woodland providing an important habitat for a wide variety […]