New housing response

A SPECIAL meeting is to be called by Saddleworth Parish Council to prepare a response to plans for building work in the area.

Residents and businesses across Greater Manchester are currently being asked to have their say on a “Spatial Framework” to identify housing and business needs over the next 20 years.

The 10 Greater Manchester councils are working together to develop the vision and have set out options outlining the number of homes and employment sites needed across the region.

The consultation period runs until January 11, 2016.

Sites identified will be assessed to see if they are suitable, available, achievable and comply with the policies of the Spatial Framework.

Councillor Mike Buckley said: “There are various options available, starting with around 300 new houses being built across the Oldham borough, with 10 per cent of those in Saddleworth.

“The second option looks at about 500 new houses while the third option is around 690 houses — so that’s a lot of development.

“This could have a massive impact on Saddleworth and we could see greenbelt sites being redesignated and used for development.”

Councillor Alan Belmore added: “It is important we make a robust response to this against overdevelopment in the area.

“We need affordable housing and houses for young people, but in the right numbers and places. The numbers are bigger than we have seen for more than 100 years in this area.”

Visit www.greatermanchester-ca.gov.uk/gmsf for more information.