BOLTON will be home to seven per cent of the 227,200 houses which could be built for Greater Manchester over the next 20 years.

The Bolton News reported yesterday that as part of Bolton’s strategy for development, as part of the Greater Manchester Spatial Framework, almost 17,000 new homes could be built.

Greater Manchester leaders are due to decide whether to approve the draft Greater Manchester Spatial Framework plan — billed as “bold, new plans for jobs, economic growth and new homes” — at a meeting on Friday.

The framework is the joint authorities’ plan for land allocation across Greater Manchester to provide housing and investment opportunities for sustainable growth.

If approved, residents will be able to give their opinions in an eight-week consultation and a final draft will be published in 2017 when another period of consultation will be held.

Seven thousand of the proposed Bolton homes are planned for greenbelt, greenfield or open protected sites.

The remaining 9,800 properties would be built on brownfield sites. A major industrial development is also included in Bolton’s proposals. Bolton’s allocation is seven per cent of the total development, compared to Manchester which is 24 per cent, Salford 15 per cent; Wigan and Trafford which is 10 per cent. Bury, Oldham and Tameside allocation is six per cent.

Greater Manchester Combined Authority and Association of Greater Manchester Authorities stress that a brownfield-first approach has been adopted to land allocation — three-quarters.

Cllr Sean Hornby, leader of the UKIP Party in Bolton, said: “I am pleased that brownfield sites are being prioritised and we need to also have affordable quality housing in the borough as soon as we can. Brownfield sites often look a mess and housing development can often improve the area and bring money into the area. The very nature of brownfield sites means there is the infrastructure there, such as drainage.”

Cllr Richard Farnell, lead member for planning and housing at GMCA, said: “Greater Manchester is a thriving city region, renowned across the world for its numerous technological and scientific advancements, sporting and artistic excellence. We support a culture of innovation and enterprise.

“In order to continue to attract business, workers and tourists, we need to grow. We will successfully manage this growth and deliver major economic, social and environmental improvements. We are mindful that this needs to support Greater Manchester’s prosperity in the long term as well as meet its short-term needs.

“We want all residents of Greater Manchester to share in the benefits of this prosperity.”