Detailed plans for new housing estate on former Shaw distribution site lodged

Detailed proposals to build more than a hundred homes on the site of the former Shaw Distribution Centre have been submitted to the council.

Outline planning permission was granted by councillors in Oldham in July 2021 for up to 400 new homes on the entire industrial site at Linney Lane, with a number of revisions to the original plans approved in 2022.

That application also included the demolition of three 100-year-old mills, Elm Mill, Lily No 1 Mill and Lily No 2 Mill.

Now a reserved matters application for development on ‘phase one’ of the site, which covers more than five hectares, has been submitted by Bellway Homes Limited.

It would see 140 homes built, of which 27 would be classed as ‘affordable’.

They would be split across two, three and four-bedroom properties, with a mix of apartments, detached, semi-detached and mews style properties.

Each house would have space for two cars, with one car parking space allocated for the apartments, which would also include 12 cycle spaces.

Access for these homes would be delivered from the main access on Linney Lane, with a secondary route east of Linney Lane Motors.

The development will also include the de-culverting of the River Beal and surface water drainage infrastructure being put in place.

This would allow new open space areas to be created either side of the river.

The design and access statement, submitted on behalf of Bellway Homes, states: “The development will create a high quality sustainable residential neighbourhood which maintains and enhances the key existing water and landscape features, integrating the site into the wider area.

“The development will maintain a well-informed, safe, and attractive neighbourhood, which promotes the wellbeing of its residents and visitors.”

As a major application, the decision on whether to approved the detailed proposals will rest with the council’s planning committee.

While no date has been announced for when it will be debated, a decision is expected by mid August, according to the council.

During works to clear part of the Shaw Distribution Site, neighbouring residents complained of severe dust problems that have left them unable to open windows or hang washing outside, and some have experience medical issues they believe are related to the works.

Oldham council had issued an abatement notice on May 5 over which ordered the demolition contractor to regulate the dust immediately.

Metropolitan Demolition, the company responsible for the demolition says it has used water suppression throughout the operation and believe they have done ‘everything reasonably practical to reduce the impact of the demolition on the local population’.

The demolition is due to be completed by early June or earlier.

The distribution centre had been a major employment site in the borough, with the Very Group based there until 2021 in one of the largest warehouses in the world, at its height employing 1,200 people.

Yodel, which had also had a base at the site, subsequently announced it would relocate its operations away from the distribution centre.

However, the planning documents state those buildings will now remain occupied for commercial purposes for up to five years.

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