A public consultation has been approved by the council which will allow residents to have their say on future housing plans for the borough.

At a meeting of Oldham Council's Cabinet on Monday (October 2), the committee approved the Places for Everyone plan.

Places for Everyone is the Joint Development Plan of nine Greater Manchester districts which will determine the kind of development that takes place across their boroughs.

Now, Oldhamers will have a chance to have their say over an eight-week period this autumn on some of the plans the council has proposed which have been modified by Government-appointed Inspectors.

Residents can comment on a set of recommendations made by the Inspectors examining the plan, to modify the policies and allocations within it.

These modifications do not change the overall vision, objectives and spatial strategy of the plan.

Inspectors appointed by the Secretary of State for Levelling Up, Housing and Communities examined Places for Everyone during public hearing sessions between November 2022 and July 2023.

Some of the modifications they have proposed include:

  • Changing the plan period from 2020-2037 to 2022-2039 to ensure that it has a minimum 15-year period from the anticipated date of adoption 
  • Minor boundary changes to the allocations at Broadbent Moss and South of Rosary Road 
  • Increasing the residential capacity at Chew Brook Vale from around 90 to around 138 homes and decreasing the amount of commercial, leisure and retail facilities reduced by 3,000 sqm

The council had proposed to add an area of land behind Denshaw Village Hall into the green belt – however the Inspectors say that it doesn’t meet the test for exceptional circumstances and should be removed from the plan.

Cllr Elaine Taylor, Cabinet member for Housing and Licensing, said: “The Government has set Oldham a housing target of 680 new homes a year. We have repeatedly challenged this figure, but it remains unchanged.

“Places for Everyone identifies what land could be developed for homes and workspaces over the next 15 years – without it, all our open spaces are up for grabs because there’s no plan currently in place.

“I encourage residents to take a look at the proposed modifications and have their say on them when the consultation opens.”

Cllr Arooj Shah, leader of Oldham Council, said: “We know Oldham needs more homes, and quality homes of all sizes and affordability, if more people are to live, work and raise their families here.  We're also absolutely committed to building on previously-developed land - also known as brownfield land - wherever we can.

“Our recently announced partnership with Muse will help us to achieve that, and will see 2,000 homes built on previously developed sites in the town centre including the former leisure centre and the Civic Centre when it is vacated by staff moving into Spindles. Other schemes on brownfield land are also in progress, including 150 homes at Southlink, Oldham Mumps. 

“Places for Everyone sets out how we’ll build the much-needed quality, affordable homes Oldham desperately needs and shows how we’ll create jobs and vibrant neighbourhoods so that our town and future generations can get on and do well.”