200 protest over Foxdenton plan

TWO hundred people have attended a protest meeting against controversial proposals for Chadderton Foxdenton area.

The £100 million plan would see a new business park and hundreds of new homes on a 120-acre site.

An outline planning application two weeks ago sparked an outcry from residents who believe the plans for the area are too big and would result in empty business units, congested local roads and overburdened local services.

Christina Gater, from Foxdenton and District Protection Group, said residents accepted the owner of some of the land has a right to sell it. But the development also includes land owned by Oldham Council, which residents believe gives them the right to suggest how it might be used.

Wednesday’s meeting was called to tell residents how to make official objections.

Christina said: “The turnout was superb. More than 200 people came. We gave out information so people know how to make valid objections, and also contact details for objections to go to.

“All we want to do as a group is to help people put their points across in such a way that they can’t be ignored.”

An open forum followed for people to voice their concerns and to ask questions, many of which could not be answered by the people who were there.

“Concerns about lack of consultation came up again and again,” said Christina. “People are just looking for answers to their questions and to know where we go from here.”