Action group celebrate after Chew Valley Green Belt removed from strategic plan proposal

The former Fletcher's Mill site

A Saddleworth-based action group are celebrating after Oldham Council agreed to remove land from the new proposed Greater Manchester strategic development plan.

Chew Valley Green Belt Action (CVGBA) was formed in 2019 to protect undeveloped land in the Chew Valley, stretching from Tanners Mill to Fletchers Mill and the Peak District National Park boundary at Dove Stone Reservoir.

In a meeting last night, Oldham council agreed to work with other Greater Manchester boroughs to develop further ideas for the ‘Places For Everyone’ project which is set to replace the now-defunct Greater Manchester Spatial Framework.

However, councillors agreed to remove the undeveloped green belt land at the derelict Fletcher’s Paper Mill in Greenfield from the agreement.

CVGBA Co-Chair Andrew Taylor said: “CVGBA created an Alternative Plan for the Fletchers site and Chew Valley which has been well received by residents, Oldham Council and Saddleworth Parish Council.

“We are now re-presenting our proposals as a Masterplan for the site and hope that in discussions with Oldham Council and the site’s owners, a new Pennine village style development can be agreed in sympathy with its Green Belt and Peak Park boundary location”

The Greater Manchester Spatial Framework plans were abandoned last year, after Stockport Council refused to approve the plan.

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