Building giants in legal wrangle

A BUILDING giant which produced plans to bring low-cost housing to Oldham is embroiled in a legal wrangle over claims the council rejected its work.

Gleeson Homes has slammed the attitude of the local authority and could seek reimbursements for its effort on the proposals.

The developers, who worked closely with the council on the Housing Market Renewal scheme before funding was discontinued in 2011, revealed a legal dialogue is underway.

Gleeson Homes said it submitted blueprints for several developments in areas of Oldham in need of housing in 2010 and 2011, including Fitton Hill.

A spokesman said: “Oldham Council originally gave us a good reception, but then a number of redundancies were made, we didn’t see the same people and that’s when the attitude seemed to change.

“It got to the stage when they virtually said we really don’t want to do a deal with you anymore.”

The spokesman said: “We are very surprised at the attitude of Oldham Council as in the past we felt they had been encouraging with the proposals.

“We don’t want to do this, but we have appointed our solicitors as we feel we have spent a huge amount of money. There is legal dialogue currently going on.”

A council spokesman said they were unable  to comment


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