Have your say on the future of planning and development in Oldham

Oldhamers are being urged to take part in a new consultation which will help to shape the future of planning and development across the borough.

The Local Plan will guide development in Oldham up to 2037, setting the rules with which new homes and industrial buildings have to comply with, and establishing where they can be built.

It will also guide how the council make decisions on whether or not planning applications can be granted.

To ensure the plan reflects what is most important to residents, Oldham Council has launched an ‘Issues and Options’ consultation.

Cllr Hannah Roberts, Cabinet Member for Housing and Planning, said: “Planning affects many aspects of our lives and our environment – from where we live, work, shop and how we spend our leisure time.

“In producing the Local Plan, we will not just consider land uses but we will also consider other issues that can be affected by land use, including health, education and community safety.

"It is important we get a wide range of opinions and views so that we can create the most effective plan possible.”

In particular the council would like your views on:

The issues Oldham, and your particular area of the borough, faces;

What kind of place you would like Oldham to be in 15 years; and

Specific areas of planning, such as the location of future development, design of new buildings and protection of open spaces.

The Local Plan complements Places for Everyone (formerly Greater Manchester Strategic Framework) - the strategic plan for housing and growth - by defining what will be approved and rejected.

The council wants to know what matters most to residents and businesses so that it has the buildings, homes and jobs that work for Oldham.

Issues addressed by the consultation reflect a previous community consultation on the developing Local Plan.

Key considerations that the council would like your thoughts on include:

What homes will be needed for an ageing population

How the council provides a diverse housing offer including homes for disabled people, families, affordable homes and private rented homes

Whether the council should amend planning policy for homes in multiple occupation (HMOs) so that they can no longer be developed without planning permission (permitted development rights)

The policy approach to self-build, custom build and community right to build

Providing for children’s homes

Making the most effective use of land and the density of developments

Allocation of sites for development

Retail, leisure, cultural venues, tourism and policies on farm diversification

Steps the council can take to address sustainable development including renewable and low carbon energy

How the council address flood risk

Protecting and enhancing local green spaces, green infrastructure, open space, trees and biodiversity

The policy approach to mills

Policies which address the design of buildings including provision for bike and bin storage and electric vehicle charging

Health and wellbeing, including whether the council should introduce a policy which restricts the location of hot food takeaways within 400m of a school; or in areas with high levels of obesity; or both

How planning can support education provision and if the council should protect some suitable sites for potential future education facilities/services.

The Local Plan Issues and Options consultation is open now until 5pm on August 29, 2021 and you can feedback on as many or as few points as you like.

If you can, please submit comments via: https://oldham.objective.co.uk/portal/oc/planning/spi/local_plan_review/io2021/ where you can find full details of the consultation.

Alternatively, you can email your comments to: SPI.Consultations@oldham.gov.uk

The above documents can all be viewed on the council’s website at: www.oldham.gov.uk/localplanreview 

Consultation documents will also be available to view at all public libraries in Oldham.

Visit: oldham.gov.uk/libraries for opening times.

You can also arrange to view a copy at the Civic Centre – please phone 0161 770 4105 to make an appointment or email: SPI.Consultations@oldham.gov.uk

If you are unable to submit comments online or via email, you can send them in writing, to be received by 5pm on August 29, 2021, to: Strategic Planning and Information, Economy, Skills and Neighbourhoods, Room 310, Level 3, Civic Centre, West Street, Oldham, OL1 1UH.

Please note all comments received (both electronically and by post) will be held by the council and will be available to view publicly.

Comments cannot be treated as confidential.

Your personal information, such as your postal and e-mail address will not be published, but your name and organisation (if relevant) will.

---

Do you have a story for us? Want to tell us about something going on in and around Oldham? Let us know by emailing news@oldham-chronicle.co.uk , calling our Oldham-based newsroom on 0161 633 2121 , tweeting us @oldhamchronicle or messaging us through our Facebook page. All contact will be treated in confidence.