Foxdenton pain

Date published: 12 December 2014


CONCERNED residents have voiced their fears after getting a first glimpse of plans for 210 new homes in a controversial development.

The homes will form the first phase of a £100million housing and business park development off Foxdenton Lane, Chadderton, due to be called Broadway Green.

Proposals were given outline planning permission in February, despite passionate protestations by local residents.

Builders Countryside and Redrow Homes held a public consultation last night at Kingfisher School with dozens turning up to view the plans and quiz the developers.

Countryside plans to build 114 detached and semi-detached homes, consisting of three or four bedrooms, at the rear of The Radclyffe Athletics Centre with access via a new link road off Broadway.

Redrow wants to build a further 96 three and four-bedroom homes, located at the Foxdenton Lane end of the development close to Foxdenton Hall Park.

Both companies set out their proposals, featuring house designs and road layouts while also stating their commitment to local residents during the construction phase, including management of site traffic, noise and keeping the community informed at all times. However, not all residents were happy. Some believing they marked a stark contrast to what was previously identified as an industrial development.

Caroline Fanning, who has lived on neighbouring Thatch Leach for 25 years, said: “The change to the proposals over the last two years has been staggering. What was originally put through as an industrial development designed to increase jobs and prosperity in Oldham, with some housing alongside, now looks to have changed to a housing-led development with this first phase.

“I believe there has also been a lack of publicity leading up to the event and I think the developers could have done more to inform local residents about it.”

Mark Russell, regional land director for Countryside, said: “Countryside believe public consultation is a very important part of the planning process and would like to thank the local residents who turned out in good numbers on a wet and windy December evening and for the comments received.”

Oldham Council has been working with Foxdenton LLP, the overall site developers, on the plans for the 109-acre site.

Councillor David Hibbert, Cabinet member for housing, transport and planning, said: “It is good to see so many people coming out to see the plans and it is good that the companies are prepared to put on events such as this for residents.

“The more people who come, the fewer worries there will be about the plans.”

Councillor Hibbert added that, as a member of the board for the joint venture between Foxdenton LLP and Oldham Council, he had lobbied for several changes to the proposals which would benefit local residents and could now be seen on the plans.

These include a different orientation of houses to ensure properties were not overlooked and moving the green spaces closer to residential areas.
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