IMPLEMENTATION of the Greater Manchester Spatial Framework looks set to be delayed after a consultation on its first draft attracted 25,000 responses.

A report of the consultation advises Greater Manchester leaders to move the second draft consultation back from July to September to give enough time to consider all the submissions from residents, interest groups, developers and other agencies and to make the necessary alterations to the plan for jobs and homes.

The Greater Manchester Combined Authority will implement the finalised draft after gaining a number of responsibilities and the associated money from Westminster as part of the devolution deal for Greater Manchester announced by the Government in November 2014.

Cllr Richard Farnell, GMCA lead for planning and housing, who produced the report, said: “I want to thank each and every person who has responded to our consultation.

“There is strong support for a Greater Manchester plan for jobs and homes and the level of response has shown that people in every borough are willing to engage with and shape our plan for homes and jobs.

“This is a real conversation about the future of Greater Manchester, and we are listening. “It is clear that many people across Greater Manchester have strong feelings about this plan.

“That is something we recognise and will respond to.

“We will not ignore what you are telling us and we will consider every single submission and look at where changes can and should be made.

“While the vast majority of the plan proposes building within the urban area, including on brownfield sites, I know there are concerns around potential development on specific sites designated as green belt.

“I also understand that people want to see more detail on our plans for brownfield regeneration, infrastructure and transport to support this plan. “There are a range of opinions on the draft plan, with some groups asking for development to be scaled back and others campaigning for more development in Greater Manchester.

“That spectrum means we will not be able to address every concern, but I am confident that by working together with local people we can create a plan that ensures future generations can find a decent home, with great transport links, in a Greater Manchester which respects and nurtures its natural resources.”

Regulations require that the consultation for the second draft lasts at least six weeks.

In the light of the level of consultation responses received and the further work needed Cllr Farnell’s report recommends that be doubled to 12 weeks for all future consultations on the plan for homes and jobs.

The plan identifies housing and employment land needed in Greater Manchester up to the year 2035, investment opportunities in health, education and transport services to help support communities and how the natural environment will be protected and improved It is designed to boost the economy and create new jobs and opportunities across Greater Manchester.

The benefits to Greater Manchester will be 227,200 new homes built, hundreds of thousands of new jobs created, opportunities for new business development and improved transport links.

The first draft consultation saw more than 2,600 responses submitted through Objective, the online consultation portal.

In addition approximately 16,500 letters and 8,000 e-mail representations were received.

Early analysis indicates that more than 90 per cent of responses were regarding sites rather than the overall greater Manchester Spatial Framework strategy and thematic areas.

The first draft document was accessed more than 50,000 times from the GMCA website and a similar number accessed the information documents available on the consultation portal.

More than 80 public events were held across Greater Manchester, where residents and others could find out more about the draft Spatial Framework.

The events were well attended, with many recording hundreds of attendees.

The extension to the consultation period from December 23 to January 16 gave the opportunity for additional events to be run and thousands of further submissions to be received.