TRAFFORD residents and businesses are being encouraged to find out more about the borough's proposals for future housing and investment needs at the first of a series of drop-in sessions.

The first of the sessions is on Thursday, November 17 at Altrincham Town Hall (4pm-7pm), and is an opportunity for residents and businesses to find out more about Trafford Council’s proposals for future housing and business development sites across the borough.

The plans are Trafford's part of the Greater Manchester Spatial Framework, which aims to provide housing and land to attract investors, boost growth in the local economy and ensure the area has the necessary infrastructure to meet future needs across Greater Manchester.

In Trafford, the plan is intended to deliver 23,000 new homes by 2035.

The homes would be provided on a limited number of large sites, rather than spread throughout the borough.

While more than half the planned homes will be built in existing urban areas, 4,000-plus of them would be on Green Belt land. Around a fifth of the current Green Belt land in the borough would lose that protected status under the proposed re-drawing of the boundaries.

The Green Belt areas affected are the Timperley Wedge, including Davenport Green; land at Flixton Station and pockets of land at a major development at Carrington.

Trafford Council Leader, Councillor Sean Anstee, is urging everyone to attend the sessions to find out more. He said: “I would urge everyone with an interest in seeing Trafford continue to strengthen its economy and support people with the necessary housing, leisure and cultural opportunities to get involved.

"By listening and taking on board their views through these sessions and on-line comments, we can ensure our final plans meet the borough's future needs and their expectations.

“Trafford’s economy is already acknowledged as the most resilient in the North West and we believe our planning proposals will further enhance Trafford's economy through investment and development and reinforce Trafford as a superb location for people to live and work.

“As a council we are continuing to work collaboratively with the other nine Greater Manchester councils to ensure this strength and prosperity is shared across the region and that we are able to provide the necessary infrastructure, housing and opportunities to deliver for future need.”

Anyone who cannot attend this Thursday's meeting can still get involved in one of the other three drop-in sessions. These are being held on: Monday, November 21, Urmston Library, 4pm-7pm Tuesday, Novembe 29, Trafford Town Hall, 4pm-7pm Thursday, December 1, Sale Waterside, 4pm-7pm. If uou cannot attend the sessions then visit trafford.gov.uk to have your say on the proposal.