The following planning applications relate to some of the biggest development stories in Oldham over the past fortnight.

Northern Roots expansion approved

The Northern Roots project, next to Oldham’s Alexandra Park, is set to expand over land at Snipe Clough after plans were approved at a planning meeting on Wednesday, July 17. 

The urban forestry park and farm will include a visitor centre with a cafe, a forestry training site, play areas, and an outdoor amphitheatre.

A design of Northern RootsA design of Northern Roots

The designs also include an events space, which will host everything from gigs to weddings.

Concerns were raised by councillors at the planning meeting about existing playing courts but these will not be affected by the plans.

New nine-bed HMO approved

A proposal to develop a nine-bedroom house in multiple occupation (HMO) at an Oldham property has been given the green light.

The application relates to a property on Belgrave Road and will see two dormers added onto the house.

The property on Belgrave RoadThe property on Belgrave Road (Image: Google Maps)

Each of the bedrooms will have an en-suite facility and there will be two kitchen and dining areas.

The application originally looked to make the property a 10-bedroom house, however concerns were raised over the possibility of bedrooms being in the basement.

Nursery to become specialist secondary school

Permission has been granted for a nursery to be turned into a secondary school looking to re-engage and re-integrate children into education.

The approval of the plans will see Channings Childcare just off Chadderton Way converted into an EdStart Specialist Independent School, which will provide education for up to 40 children aged between 11 and 16.

Channings Childcare Chadderton WayChannings Childcare Chadderton Way (Image: Andrew Jackson Architects)

EdStart is an education service which has operated in Greater Manchester since 2010 and looks to create "a suitable environment and curriculum to match pupils’ varying needs", including special educational needs and disabilities (SEND) and mental health challenges.

Kevin Buchanan, executive headteacher at EdStart Schools, said the approval was "great news" and that they were "delighted" to be opening a new facility in Oldham.