‘OK Corral’ fencing wrangle at car park

THE OK Corral . . . the ranch-style fencing in Delph

Saddleworth planning committee report by KEN BENNETT

A parish councillor claimed wooden, ranch style fencing in a Saddleworth hamlet gave it the appearance of the OK Corral.

Councillor Ken Hulme was objecting to an application for fencing instead of drystone walling to be allowed at a cottage at Heights on the outskirts of Delph.

He told the committee: “There was supposed to be a discreet par park — instead what we have got is the OK Corral.

“It looks more like a builders yard with a skip and floodlights. It is in the green belt too. It should not be allowed. Dry stone walls are in keeping with the area.

“We would be letting Saddleworth down it we allow this to go ahead.”

Oldham Council planning officer Adele Hayes said that while drystone walls were a feature of the landscape there were other kinds of fencing including wire and posts in the district.

It had been agreed to allow the private car park off Heights Lane so not to cause problems for traffic using the narrow highway.

Issues surrounding building materials and lighting could be dealt with as a separate matter.
Councillor Pat Lord, voicing the views of other committee,members, said: “Dry stone walls can cause drifts in snow. When fencing is open this does not happen.”

The committee recommended the removal of the planning condition.