Strategic planning guidance

National Guidance

EU Directives

Circulars and Regulations

Planning Inspectorate Guidance

Sub-regional Guidance

The Greater Manchester Combined Authority (GMCA) was established on 1 April 2011.The GMCA is a statutory Combined Authority made up of the ten local authorities in Greater Manchester and co-ordinates key economic development, regeneration and transport functions. The GMCA acts as the voice of the ten local authorities of Greater Manchester preparing a number of sub-regional planning documents.

The ten local authorities in Greater Manchester are working together as part of the GMCA on a joint plan called the Greater Manchester Spatial Framework (GMSF). This is being prepared to ensure that new homes and jobs are provided in the right places with the transport (roads, rail, Metrolink) and infrastructure to support the communities and manage growth sustainably.

Other documents prepared by the GMCA include the Greater Manchester Strategy 2013-2020 Stronger Together (which sets out a series of priorities to secure sustainable economic growth for the benefit of the conurbation and its residents), the Greater Manchester Transport Strategy 2040 and the Climate Change and Low Emission Strategy.

The Planning and Housing Commission has responsibility for driving the delivery of four specific priorities, these are:

  • Revitalising our town centres;
  • Creating the spaces and places that will nurture success;
  • Stimulating and reshaping our housing market and
  • Creating a plan for growth and infrastructure

The Greater Manchester Local Enterprise Partnership (GMLEP) sets the strategic course, determines local priorities and drives growth and job creation within the city region. GMLEP jointly owns the Greater Manchester Strategy (2013-2020).

Greater Manchester has one of the country’s first Local Nature Partnerships (LNP) following a successful application to Defra. Manchester’s LNP feeds directly into the Greater Manchester Environment Commission, to maximise opportunities to achieving the region’s ambitious environmental goals. 

The Minerals and Waste Planning Unit (formerly known as the Greater Manchester Geological Unit) provides minerals and waste planning support to the ten GM authorities. This Unit was responsible for preparing the GM Waste Plan, which came into force on 1 April 2012, and the GM Minerals Plan, which came into force on 26 April 2013.