Foxdenton papers released

Date published: 04 July 2014


INFORMATION requested by campaigners fighting the controversial Foxdenton development has finally been released by Oldham Council.

Over the past year the council has twice refused to release documents regarding the £100 million housing and business park development - despite rulings that the information should be disclosed.

Foxdenton and District Protection Group said it was pleased the council has agreed to release the documents, but added: “It is believed that only 35 of the 109 emails requested were included. Once the balance are to hand, FDPG will share the content of all the documents with its members and the wider community.”

Councillor Jim McMahon, Oldham Council leader, said: “We’ve been clear about the need to balance commercial confidentiality with the wider public interest. We only withhold information when it is in the wider public interest - which includes the commercial interests of the council.”

“It’s important we explain why we didn’t release these documents when first asked. Negotiations were ongoing at that time; some content could have compromised the council acting in the best interests of taxpayers.”