Firm denies it will quit town if plan is rejected

A SHAW firm has denied it is planning to relocate and put 1,000 local jobs at risk if its controversial extension plans are turned down again.

But the Chronicle understands that Fulfilment Logistics has tested the market by checking the costs of moving to other sites.

The firm has long threatened to move from its Lilac and Briar Mill base, off Beal Lane, if its proposals to build a controversial warehouse extension and multi-storey car park are thwarted.

A report in Crain’s Manchester Business newspaper claimed the company had upped the stakes in the planning battle by launching a speculative search for up to 1million sq ft of space outside Oldham.

Bosses are reported as saying that if the planning appeal fails there is nowhere else in the borough big enough to move to and it will be forced to relocate.

They are said to have instructed the Manchester office of commercial property advisor CB Richard Ellis to look for sites anywhere in the UK, but ideally in Greater Manchester.

Two of the region’s largest industrial sites — Kingsway and Heywood Industrial Park, both in Rochdale — are cited as having been approached informally.

But a spokeswoman for the firm told the Chronicle: “We are not looking to move. We are not pursing this option and are not looking to move away from Oldham at all.”

The plans have already been defeated twice but the firm has appealed and the application will now be decided at a public inquiry.

Designs for a 175ft warehouse — only 27 ft lower than Oldham Civic Centre — were scrapped after sparking an outcry that it would tower over Shaw. But a fresh application would still see it reach 127ft.

The firm, a mail order business owned by JD Williams, says it has outgrown the site and needs to expand to secure the jobs of the 1,000-strong workforce and add another 250 workers.

Oldham Council’s Planning Committee turned down the plans in March and then a resubmitted application in August.

Councillors said the proposed building was still too high and heavily criticised the impact on traffic in a densely populated area.

But the firm insists the proposal makes best use of the site and will only have a minor visual impact. A petition signed by more than 500 employees supports the plans on the grounds that it will create job opportunities and investment.

Council Regeneration Service Director, John Mitchell, said: “The inquiry will consider all aspects of the application and whether or not to uphold the council’s decision. We anticipate a decision by next summer.”