On the warpath

A Saddleworth councillor has hit out at plans to segregate the residents of a new housing development from the rest of the community, using a metal fence that would also restrict access to a busy footpath.

Plans to demolish the Victoria Works on Wool Road in Dobcross to make way for seven new properties were passed by a planning committee in April, with a number of conditions that included ensuring access between the main road and the canal by not restricting the footpath.

But developers Chapman Ltd and estate agents Ryder & Dutton have now erected a sign on the land saying the properties will be gated, which Councillor Garth Harkness says will prevent integration within the community and cause an obstruction to the right of way.

He said: “We are an open and collective community in Saddleworth and this is not on. A closed community is the opposite of what we want. It does not encourage integration and only adds tension. This was not agreed in the planning permission.

“The footpath is a vital link between Wool Road and its bus routes and the canal, and to prevent disabled and pushchair access is not on. The width of the footpath is inadequate for safe use with a steep fall into the river on one side.

“The right of way also needs to be protected. We were pleased that the considerations were taken into account in the planning permission. We need to make sure it happens though as this is currently being ignored.

“I have raised this issue with planning and highways at Oldham Council and am pushing for the enforcement team to do what is necessary.”