Residents' fury at First Choice Homes' new-build bid

A community petition has been launched by angry Moorside residents who are bitterly opposed to First Choice Homes’ intention to build 32 new two, three and four-bedroomed properties on land at Hodge Clough Road.

A formal planning application has still to be submitted to Oldham Council, but residents have been visited by First Choice Homes officials to discuss the proposals.

One brief visit has already taken place, but residents who contacted the Chronicle are clearly not happy.

Marlene Williams is aged 73 and has lived on Hodge Clough Road with her husband since her home was built 21 years ago.

She said: “We’ve worked all our lives for this home, and First Choice Homes will ruin it.

“There’s no infrastructure been put into place, there’s no schools, and the roads won’t take the traffic.

“Now they want to build another 32 homes. If these people have a car, maybe two? Where is the sense in it?

“This road is already like a rat-run, both in the mornings and at night after people have been to work.”

Melanie Holtom (pictured below with Marlene) is another Hodge Clough Road resident and a mother to three children, aged 11, eight and three.

She said: “The schools around here are already full, but my main issue is the safety of my children playing out on this road.

“This road is already diabolical sometimes – it’s really busy.

“My children play on the field where the houses are supposed to be going. It’s the only safe place.

“There’s Pearly Bank Park, but my children can not go that far because they have to cross a busy road to get there.

“If First Choice build these houses, where are all our children going to play?

“Children from all over the area play on this land, people walk their dogs, and there’s lots of wildlife been seen there, even a deer.

“It’s a nature place – the community come together on this field.”

First Choice Homes Oldham have responded to the concerned Hodge Clough Road residents, insisting that their new-build plans are attempting to address the borough's vital need for accessibility to housing.

FCHO Homes and Investment Director Dave Woods said: "The proposed development of this land would deliver 32 much needed affordable homes as part of our plans to develop 820 properties across Oldham.

"We see this build ambition as an important part of addressing Oldham’s housing need.

"The land has been identified for potential build since 2011; when it was included in Oldham Council’s Strategic Housing Land Availability Assessment.

"Within this it is noted that the site has good accessibility, is close to local services and is a former housing clearance site.

"First Choice Homes proposes to deliver a mix of homes on the site which address the housing need in Oldham, rather than building merely to maximise profit.

"The proposed build would include a mixture of outright sale, shared ownership and rent-to-buy properties (rent-to-buy is where a resident pays 80% of market rent, allowing them to save the 20% for a deposit).

"This mix would provide opportunities for first time buyers to get on the property ladder as well as diversifying the local community.

"Each property we propose to build would have a driveway with space for at least one car, if not two.

"As part of the planning application we will be required to submit specific assessments relating to the concerns surrounding traffic, highway safety, infrastructure and wildlife. 

"At present, the proposals are in the early stages of development. Any application would be considered in full by the Planning Committee."