The first elected mayor of Greater Mancheser, Andy Burnham featured on the panel at EG’s Manchester Question Time. Speaking to a 200-strong audience, he defended his decision to overhaul the Greater Manchester Spacial Framework, and said: “I felt it would lead to decaying town centres surrounded by urban sprawl and ever congested roads. I didn’t think it had all been thought-through enough, and therefore I couldn’t put my name to it.”

He was on the panel alongisde Tom Gilman, Managing Director, Kier Property North; Jeremy Hinds, Head of Planning, North, Savills; Darren Hughes, Partner, Gateley Plc; Shelagh McNerney, Head of Development, Salford City Council; Kieran Quinn, Executive Leader, Tameside Borough Council and Chair, Greater Manchester Pension Fund.

The debate was chaired by Damian Wild, editor, EG, and held at Manchester Town Hall.