Approval likely for Lilac Mill revamp

A HOME-shopping retailer looks set to finally get planning permission for a controversial £23 million warehouse development in Shaw.

Planning officers have recommended approving JD Williams’ plans for redeveloping its Lilac Mill site at Beal Lane, when they go before a committee meeting tomorrow.

The firm says the development will secure 1,000 jobs and create up to 120 new ones — but has faced much opposition from residents.

Designs for a 175ft (53-metres) high warehouse — only eight metres lower than Oldham Civic Centre — were scrapped after sparking an outcry that it would tower over Shaw. It was lowered to 127ft (39 metres) but was again opposed.

The latest application has been scaled down by another 40 per cent, with the new building measuring 78ft in height.

There have still been 24 letters of objection saying the height and scale of the building is inappropriate and overbearing and will be oppressive and visually intrusive.

There are also concerns over extra traffic creating environmental harm and endangering pedestrians, increased litter, light pollution and the loss of several mature trees.

But there have also been 101 letters of support, though these are mainly from JD Williams employers.

They argue it will give job security, its creation is a significant investment, there will be reduced traffic from the new operation and the loss of the firm would have an adverse impact on other businesses and the community.

Shaw and Crompton Parish Council voted unanimously to support the application.

A report to Oldham Council’s planning committee concludes the proposed warehouse would have an impact on the landscape “but such impact is mitigated by the sympathetic design of the proposal and is unlikely to be significant.

“The environment statement has demonstrated to the satisfaction of the relevant consultees that the proposal will result in no significant environmental degradation.”

The firm will have to pay £50,000 towards safety improvements for Beal Lane, £20,000 for footpath improvements and £20,000 towards a strategic cycle network in the area.

JD Williams stressed the new building will be lower in height than its distribution centre at Lilac Mill.

It held extensive consultation on the revised plans with a public exhibition attended by 94 people, with 88 per cent of those who completed feedback considering the current scheme an improvement on the previous plans.

General manager Ian Carr said: “We are confident that our plans represent the best option for safeguarding the future of JD Williams’ operation in Shaw and we have worked hard to produce a scheme that addresses the concerns relating to the previous application.

“We are delighted that officers have recommended the application for approval and now hope that the support demonstrated for the revised plans will allow members to approve the application when it is considered this week.”

If planning permission is granted the development would take three years to construct.