Greenbelt protection — but one battle is lost

COUNCIL chiefs say approval for their planning blueprint means protection for Oldham’s green belt — but a large swathe of countryside in Chadderton could now be developed.

Planning inspector Susan Holland has accepted Oldham’s Local Development Framework (LDF), which covers all aspects of planning up to 2026 with the aim of improving quality of life.

But it means residents have lost their battle to prevent fields at Foxdenton being developed into a possible business park and housing.

They say the open space they have enjoyed using and exploring for decades will be lost forever and that already developed brownfield sites should be used by businesses instead.

The decision comes at the same time as Government planning reforms — designed to help ease through housing developments and boost the economy — have been blasted by environmental campaigners fearing “irreversible damage to towns and countryside.”

The Foxdenton site, which stretches from behind the Radclyffe School on Hunt Lane, over to Ferney Field Road, and Foxdenton Lane, was previously designated “other protected open land” and residents fear the change will also affect the Grade II-listed Foxdenton Hall and Foxdenton farmhouse.

The land has been controversially selected for development before — though suggestions of industrial units, a new home for Oldham Athletic or a new prison never materialised.

Residents felt there was a lack of consultation but the inspector dismissed this and concluded that using Foxdenton for “employment land to provide a premium business location with some residential development is justified, effective and consistent with national policy.”

She concluded on the LDF that: “The council has sufficient evidence to support the strategy and can show that it has a reasonable chance of being delivered.”

Councillor Dave Hibbert, cabinet member for housing, transport and regeneration, said: “This endorsement is a major achievement and excellent news for the borough. In these uncertain economic times, this gives the business community, developers and agents much-needed assurance and certainty that Oldham has ‘sound’ planning.

“It sends out the message to investors that we are open for business and that they can invest here with confidence. To date we are one of just three Local Authorities in Greater Manchester to attain this endorsement, so we are ahead of the game.

“These plans are now going to be crucial in the work that lies ahead to capitalise on Metrolink, for example, and to make this a better and more sustainable place to live, with a brighter future.”

Lib-Dem Councillor John McCann said safeguards meant that any Foxdenton developments would be of premium quality.

He said the LDF would give the council “quality planning not quantity building”, adding: “This is a most important legacy left by the Liberal Democrat administration which will hopefully minimise some of the more extreme proposals in the current government planning suggestions.

“The green belt of Oldham Council is protected and the boundaries remain the same as before so this is one borough that will not be taking a short- term view and destroying greenbelt that can never be recovered.

“Indeed the protection given to ‘open protected land’ is increased.

“The plan says any development must be small scale, appropriate and close to existing buildings within open protected land and do not affect openness, local distinctiveness or visual amenity and take into account visual impact.”

The LDF will now be submitted for formal adoption at a council meeting on November 9.