Residents win warehouse fight

CRANE PROTEST . . . local objectors raised a crane to the proposed height of the new warehouse to show local residents the scale of the scheme

SHAW residents have won their battle against a controversial warehouse and car park.

Planning inspectors ruled against an appeal made by Fulfilment Logistics for a warehouse extension and multi-storey car park at the Lilac Mill site, Beal Lane.

Plans for a warehouse, first reaching 175ft and then reduced to 127ft tall, were twice turned down by Oldham council.

Now an appeal against the council’s decision has been dismissed by inspector Patrick Whitehead.

Following a site visit on April 7, Mr Whitehead’s report stated the proposed building would result in unacceptable harm to the landscape, and to the visual amenity because of its scale, mass and design.

Residents had formed the group SOS Campaign — Stop Overdeveloping Shaw — to fight the plans.

They even hired a crane to tower over Shaw to demonstrate the height of the controversial development.

Fulfilment Logistics, a mail-order business owned by JD Williams, claimed the development only had minor impact and presented a 500 signature employee petition which said the plans would encourage more job opportunities.

The company also said it had outgrown the site and needed to expand to secure the jobs of the 1,000-strong work force.

Councillor Mark Alcock, cabinet member for Environment and Infrastructure, said: “It’s great the result has come through and it vindicates everything the campaign team has done.

“I’m very pleased with the result. If it had gone ahead it would have been detrimental to the landscape and everyone living in Shaw.”

Shaw Parish councillor Hazel Gloster said: “I’m absolutely thrilled by the news.

“At long last, residents views have been taken into account.”

Fulfilment Logistics did not wish to comment.