Housing scheme could spark fresh protest

Photo: PHOTO BY DARREN ROBINSON

FLASHBACK . . .Crompton Hall Action Group, pictured at the site three years ago, is considering fighting again.

CAMPAIGNERS who lost their battle to prevent building at historic Crompton Hall have been given another chance to fight the plans.

Two years ago Crompton Hall Action Group (CHAG) which had seen off six sets of plans over three years — was forced to concede defeat after a planning inspector approved building 15 flats and a three-bedroomed bungalow at the Buckstones Road site in Shaw.

But developer Vian Homes never began work and has now submitted a new application to build eight houses instead — enabling residents to reignite their campaign.

It’s believed the credit crunch, making it more difficult to sell flats, has forced Vian to go back to the drawing board.

CHAG feared a development would turn a popular, tranquil woodland into a concrete jungle and said the “unsightly, high-density apartments” would have a derogatory effect on the community.

Oldham Council repeatedly backed them by refusing planning permission but after a two-day public inquiry in May, 2007, planning inspector Chris Watson ruled in favour of Vian.

The council had refused the plans on the grounds that they would unacceptably affect the character and appearance of the area and destroy a number of mature trees.

While Mr Watson agreed the building’s appearance would resemble an office block, he did not consider the leafy and pleasant area to have any special architectural or aesthetic attributes and said it would achieve good standards of design.

Vian had pointed to a “large and growing shortfall” of housing in Oldham.

But the Cheshire-based firm was criticised for repeatedly modifying its proposals.

CHAG halted its campaign as members couldn’t afford the large costs of taking the fight to the High Court. But chairman Sue Eckersley says the group is still together and could reignite the battle.

Members will meet soon to look at the application in depth before deciding what action to take.

She said: “In my opinion, houses are better than taller apartments but we do have concerns.”

There are fears about the amount of properties and one of them jutting out.

Theoretically, the plans could spark another public inquiry if they are refused and Vian appeal.

Oldham Council planning officer Peter Schofield said: “It’s a completely fresh planning application and is quite different to the apartment plan.

“There will be full and wide consultation with residents following the strong interest in the previous plans.

“The public inquiry established the fact that residential development is acceptable on that site, it’s just down to the form that it takes.”

The site was once owned by Roger de Picaventis, a nephew of William the Conqueror. The last hall on the site, built in 1848, was demolished in 1952 and a bungalow built.