Housing pull-out ‘despicable’

Oldham Council
BELLWAY Homes was slammed as “despicable” for pulling out of a landmark scheme to build for 148 new homes in Derker at the 11th hour.

The development — which included a £1.8million government grant for social housing — was part of the multi-million-pound Housing Market Renewal scheme to transform the area with new homes.

Bellway’s decision to withdraw, reported in the Chronicle, prompted an angry response from Councillor John McCann, Oldham Council’s Cabinet member for environment and regeneration.

He said: “Since Bellway Homes made their decision to withdraw from developing the site, we have written to them expressing our disgust at the thoroughly irresponsible way they pulled out of the scheme at the last minute.”

Lib-Dem colleague, Councillor Roger Hindle, added: “I too share the disgust at Bellway’s last-minute abandonment of the development.

“I feel we should, as a council, consider very carefully before offering them further incentives to build in Oldham.

“The way they acted, to my mind, is despicable. This was to be a landmark scheme and planning permission had been granted.

“We were promised they would be on site this spring, creating much-needed family and social housing for this area.”