Foxdenton frustration

VIEW from Foxdenton Lane . . . the land in question

THERE are more questions than answers about controversial business and housing development plans for the Foxdenton area of Chadderton, says the group battling the plans.

Twice they have met council officers and come away feeling their concerns haven’t been addressed.

Now they are worried proposed changes are going to slide through the planning process while major concerns over traffic flow, air quality and land ownership haven’t been adequately addressed.

The scheme was launched in a blaze of publicity over a year ago as a flagship regeneration project that would deliver 4,000 jobs and 350 new homes.

A spokesman for the protection group said: “This was going to be a premier business opportunity — but we are now hearing that the housing developments are being considered first and the link road the business developments some time afterwards — if at all.

“That is not how it has been sold to the borough, the locals and especially the councillors in the ward, who have always backed the deal in principle because it was bringing much-needed jobs to the area.”

The group believes that without the link road this is nothing more than a massive new housing estate which will bring traffic misery to the area.

The spokesman added: “We do not feel our concerns have been dealt with. We have been brushed aside, fobbed off and in some instances had our real fears ignored.

“We have not had answers and yet our council representatives seem to be pushing this plan through when land ownership, pollution and other issues still seem unresolved.”

“We still have wholesale support in the FDPG but if we called a meeting what would be achieved? We feel helpless.”