PROPOSALS to build an Aldi store in Chadderton have been refused after councillors argued the loss of employment land was not justified.

An application to construct an Aldi store on land at Broadway Green Business Park on Foxdenton Lane as well as a commercial unit to build a coffee shop, bakery or restaurant was lodged with the council.

After the plans were made public, 127 letters of support and 57 objections, including from Tesco and Lidl were made.

Those in favour have argued the development will bring "much needed employment to the area" and stated that "there are no convenience stores within a reasonable walking distance of South Chadderton other than Lidl, and an Aldi would be a welcome".

Concerns over "adverse smells and litter", the noise and disruption to residents were raised, although the council's environment health team did not object against the plans.

But the council recommended the application to be given the green light subject to a number of conditions.

Speaking against the development at the council's planning committee on Wednesday, Mike Hollis pointed out that the proposals were a departure from a local authority policy regarding the loss of employment land.

He said it has not been demonstrated that there is a sufficient exception with the building of an Aldi to justify the application to be given the go-ahead.

The Foxdenton strategic business site was set to be the "jewel in the crown" for employment land in the area, Mr Hollis added, and that there should be an aim to introduce better quality firms to the site.

Adam Robertson, representing Aldi's agent, said at least 40 jobs would be created from the supermarket, which would help with Oldham's strategy to get people into work, and highlighted the number of letters of support from the development and that there were no objections from consultees.

Chadderton Central Cllr Colin McLaren reported some residents living nearby in a new development told him they would not have moved there if they knew there were plans for a supermarket to be built there and others have said there was no need for another shop of its type in the area.

Cllr Barbara Brownridge raised concerns over the loss of employment land across the borough and worries that it is being "whittled away".

Although she accepted Aldi is a good employer, she said the site was supposed to create more aspirational jobs for people in the town and that the move away from the policy is justified in this case.

But rather than approving the plans, she argued that "we should hold our nerve" to see if any other employers come in with potentially better offers.

Head of planning Peter Richards pointed out that businesses have struggled during the pandemic and there may not be the demand for firms to move to the site though.

Clrl Brownridge proposed for the application to refused on the grounds of the departure from the policy not being justified, which was confirmed after being backed by seven other councillors.

Three councillors were in favour of approving the plans.

Cllr Max Woodvine thought the plans should have been granted as it would provide jobs for young people in the area and it would give driving instructors the chance to give their students another place to practice bay parking.