As 2024 gets underway, there are some major planning applications in and around Oldham that are awaiting decisions this year.
From the potential demolition of a historic building to new homes and drive-thrus, The Oldham Times has looked at some key applications which are expected to be decided on this year.
Plans to knock down historic building
A decision is expected to be made this year on plans to demolish the former Riley's building in Oldham town centre, which has been part of the town's furniture for more than 100 years.
The building on King Street housed a bowling alley, nightclub and even a roller derby team during its long history, however it has been empty since 2020.
Previous dates that were suggested for the building to be demolished were in April and May of last year, how a decision is still being awaited on the proposal.
1,400 homes could be built near Oldham
The fate of a proposal to build 1,400 new homes near Oldham's border with Rochdale is expected to be decided on, with Oldham Council having already objected to the plans.
Plans were lodged in September by Redrow Homes to build 1,380 homes on a patch of Green Belt land off Rochdale Road and south of the M62, near Stakehill Industrial Estate.
The application seeks full planning permission for 233 homes, while the remaining 1,147 houses are for outline only.
Rochdale Council is still yet to decide on the application, however Oldham Council formally objected to the plans in October, with head of planning Peter Richards stating that the plans had "come in too soon" as the proposal was in conflict with the Places for Everyone plan.
Animal Charity hoping for new home
An animal charity which "desperately needs" permission to be given a new home in Saddleworth will be waiting on a decision on their application.
Pennine Animal Welfare Society (PAWS) is a charity which rescues, rehabilitates and rehomes animals in and around the North west and West Yorkshire, but is without a home and is hoping to convert a vacant stable in Saddleworth into kennels.
PAWS is also looking to build a separate cattery on the Green Belt land in Delph, with the charity's founder Sue Curran saying she would "hate to think" what will happen to PAWS if planning permission is refused.
Starbucks and Greggs drive-thrus could be coming
Oldhamers are expecting a decision to be made on the proposal to build both a Starbucks drive-thru and a Greggs drive-thru in part of the existing car park of the Tesco Superstore in Westwood.
The two separate units would sit in the northern part of the existing car park, which is where motorists can access the supermarket's car park from.
According to a statement prepared by ELG Planning, the area of the car park where the drive-thrus would be built is "underutilised" and the construction of the two units would improve the appearance of the site.
Two Starbucks drive-thru cafes were opened in Oldham last year, while the Greggs drive-thru would be the first of its kind in the borough.
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