PLANS for more than 200,000 homes could be derailed if Bolton’s new council leader heeds to the requests of other Conservative figures in Greater Manchester.

Tory leader David Greenhalgh will be the only Conservative member of the Greater Manchester Combined Authority when he takes over in Bolton next week.

Each of the 10 council leaders in the city-region, who form part of the executive body together with mayor Andy Burnham, have the power to veto decisions such as the 20-year masterplan for homes, jobs and the environment.

One regional Tory leader has already confirmed that he will meet Cllr Greenhalgh to make the case for vetoing the Greater Manchester Spatial Framework (GMSF).

However, Bolton’s council-leader-in-waiting has ruled out “meddling” in other boroughs' affairs for now.

Cllr Greenhalgh said: “I will go in there primarily fighting Bolton’s corner and making sure Bolton gets its fair share of the available grants that are coming from devolution.

“I won’t be going in there straight away meddling in other boroughs' affairs and would not want anyone to do that with Bolton’s. Clearly, there are some big decisions in the next few months and I’ll be scrutinising them with a fresh eye.”

Bury’s Tory leader James Daly told The Bolton News that he hopes to meet Cllr Greenhalgh at the earliest opportunity to discuss the GMSF.

The latest draft of the document includes plans to release 12 per cent of Bury’s green belt land for housing and industrial development.

Cllr Daly said: “All I can say is that I will continue to stand up for what I think is right for Bury. I will be trying to persuade all those at GM that the present draft is unacceptable.”

However, no houses would be built on green belt land in Bolton under the current proposals – although two sites have been earmarked for industrial development.

Cllr Greenhalgh supported the latest plans when they were released earlier this year but now says that he will listen to other leaders in the city-region before casting his vote.

He said: “I want some assurances that all boroughs looked into and exhausted all options for development. As you know, we’re a very pro-conservation and protection of green belt party and we stand by that.

“In other boroughs, sadly, there’s a lot of green belt lost and we have to ensure that all options have been exhausted. But I will be seeking those assurances first before I go there heavy-handed and start meddling in other borough’s affairs.”