TRAFFORD Labour Party has called for a special meeting about the controversial plans to declassify much loved green belt land in Flixton and erect 750 houses on part of the site.

Trafford's Labour councillors formally requested an Extraordinary Council Meeting to discuss the impact of the Greater Manchester Spatial Framework on Flixton.

The motion specifically called upon councillors to oppose the Flixton proposals and submit a response to the consultation before the deadline of December 23, setting out that opposition.

The Labour motion read: “This council notes the initial proposals set out in the draft Greater Manchester Spatial Framework detailing plans for extensive housebuilding in Trafford over the next 20 years, and in particular the provision of land currently identified as greenbelt in Flixton which has been earmarked for the building of 750 homes.

“Council also notes that these proposals would remove Flixton playing fields and the area around Flixton House from the green belt, weakening the protection from development currently afforded to this land.

"Council recognises the legitimate concerns voiced by a multitude of Flixton residents at public consultation events and on social media which have made clear the strength of feeling locally.

“In light of the above and the strong view of the local community this motion calls upon all councillors to submit an individual response to the Greater Manchester Spatial Framework consultation before the deadline of the December 23, setting out full opposition to the Flixton proposals and highlighting the concerns of residents about the impact on traffic, local infrastructure and quality of life should 750 homes be built on what is presently greenbelt land at William Wroe golf course.”

Leader of Trafford Labour Party Cllr Andrew Western, who has maintained his opposition to the Flixton proposals, said that the extraordinary meeting has been granted and will take place at Trafford Town Hall on December 21.

Cllr Western said: “The Labour Group has called for this meeting to ask all councillors to join forces and oppose the Flixton plans.

“We hope to reach a point where the council will respond formally to the spatial framework consultation making clear our opposition. It would send such a strong message if we were able to speak as one voice on this and submit a cross-party response on behalf of the whole council, and I hope there will be full support from all parties at the meeting."

The land earmarked to be developed at Flixton Station includes the station and parts of William Wroe golf course.

Grade II listed Flixton House and the playing fields, which are also in the green belt, will be declassified but the council leader said both will be 'protected'.

But the plans have not been welcomed by many in the community, with thousands of people joining protest groups.

Two additional Question and Answer sessions were held with council leader Sean Anstee at Urmston High School last night, Thursday December 8.

Cllr Anstee said: “A place with a plan is a place with a future and the Greater Manchester Spatial Framework sets out how we plan for economic growth, jobs and homes over the next twenty years.

“Adoption of the Framework is an important component in being able to control where development takes place during the plan period. In addition, a plan enables the council to support sustainable development with major investment in highways, public transport and new schools and GP surgeries.

“Having a spatial plan will enable the council to offer a greater form of protection to the substantial green belt allocation and allows the council to adopt a brownfield first approach to land allocation.

“The consequence of not having a plan that allocates land in sustainable locations is uncontrolled development, an inability to plan for infrastructure, continued pressure on existing communities and public services and an exacerbation of the housing challenges faced in our borough.

“The Greater Manchester Spatial Framework public consultation currently underway is due to close at 5pm on Friday, December 23 2016, Trafford Council has been encouraging local residents to find out more about the local proposals through a series of drop in and Question and Answer sessions and reinforcing the importance of them making sure they submit their individual views, comments and concerns on these before the deadline.

“The council is keen to make sure that people understand that all their submitted comments will be carefully considered as part of the process, before a second set of draft proposals will be put forward for further consultation next year.”