More than 200 new homes could be built across Oldham as well as a new HMO and restaurant if plans are given the go ahead this week.
At a planning committee meeting on September 23, councillors in Oldham are being asked to consider a number of planning applications. This includes 68 homes off Failsworth Road in Failsworth, a seven bedroom house of multiple occupation on Long Lane as well as a new restaurant in Chadderton, alongside a new regeneration development in Oldham town centre.
At Southlink in Oldham town centre, Vistry Group are seeking permission from the local authority to move ahead to build 147 homes to the south of the A62 Oldham Way and Oldham Mumps Metrolink tram stop. The land is currently jointly owned by Oldham Council and the Greater Manchester Combined Authority.
The land currently consists of ‘a vacant office building, areas of hardstanding used for surface car parking, and extensive brownfield ground’ with a disused railway cutting across the site. The area has become overgrown with trees, shrubs, grass, and other vegetation.
If approved, all of the 147 homes will be classed as affordable provided in partnership with First Choice Homes Oldham with a mix of different tenures. There will be a mix of one to four bedroom homes with 97 of these being flats and 50 of these being family houses.
Cars and other vehicles would access the site from Oldham Way and 152 new trees will be planted as part of the plans submitted. At the same meeting, councillors are also being asked to consider the development of a new restaurant next to Broadgate and Grimshaw Lane in Chadderton.
If given the go ahead, this development would see a two storey building built, with ‘a buffet restaurant at ground floor level and a function and events space at first floor level’. This would operate as a single business.
Plans for a seven-bed house of multiple occupation (HMO) on Long Lane in Chadderton are also up for a decision following requests by councillors Rob Jackson and Graham Shuttleworth. There have also been 64 objections as well as an objection from MP Jim McMahon.
The former Welcome Chippy on Long Lane in Chadderton used to serve fish and chips alongside Chinese takeaways. However the application to turn the property into a HMO prompted concerns over its proximity to a nursery.
Despite these objections, officers deem the development to be ‘acceptable’ under planning law subject to detailed consideration of its impact. A report said: “The reuse of the vacant building for residential accommodation would bring the property back into active use as it has remained vacant for some time.”
Councillors will also decide on whether to approve the construction of 68 new homes on land off Failsworth Road in Failsworth. The site is entirely in the green belt.
The development would take place across the northern part of the site while the southern section would be preserved except for the removal of invasive species. 100% of the homes would be classed as affordable.
While two people have supported the proposal by Redwaters Estates and Redwaters Fitfield, there have been 623 objections to the proposals put forward. Concerns raised include the impact on wildlife, neighbours, as well as local services.
Oldham council officers are recommending the application for refusal on the grounds it is ‘inappropriate development within the Green Belt’, adding: “The applicant has failed to demonstrate that adequate vehicular access to the development has been made and this will lead to the manoeuvring of vehicles, generated by the development, within the adjacent highways to the detriment of safety of pedestrians and other highway users.”
