The ‘nightmare’ tower plan people are furious about

A huge new 16-storey tower block next to an Oldham tram stop would be an ‘eyesore’ and cause a traffic ‘nightmare’, residents and councillors claim.

Plans for 120 apartments had been submitted to be built on land off Winterbottom Street, next to the Westwood Metrolink stop.

Oldham’s planning committee considered the proposals, but ‘unsually’ could not make a decision itself as the applicant had submitted an appeal to the Planning Inspectorate on grounds of non-determination within the legal time limit.

The committee ruled the proposals should have been rejected, which the planning inspector will be advised of when they consider the application.

The proposals, by Westwood Apartments Ltd, would have seen the tower block built in place of the current Westwood Medical Centre, which is empty and in a ‘poor state of repair’.

There had been 18 objections to the plans lodged from residents living around the site.

Planning officer Graham Dickman told the committee: “Anyone who knows the area will know the condition of the building itself at the moment, it’s obviously been vacant for a considerable number of years.

“The proposal is to replace this with a 16 storey block of 120 apartments. 

“It’s a very tall building, not unique within the landscape, but because of the topography of the town centre, when it’s viewed from the west or the south it would be seen against much of the existing built development in the town.

“There are benefits in bringing forward a currently developed site that’s been in that condition for quite some time.”

He said there were concerns about the layout, traffic management and loss of trees and open space which meant officers would have recommended refusal.

The proposals included building a car parking area on land which is currently open space, and owned by the council.

“We are aware during school drop off and pick up times that this is a very congested street,” Mr Dickman added.

“We remain dissatisfied that sufficient information has been submitted that would demonstrate that a building of this scale could be accommodated, without in effect leading to the removal of all those trees [on Richmond Walk].

“It’s difficult to envisage how a building of that scale could be constructed without significant loss of trees and the ecology that’s associated with that.”

Under the plans, the apartment block would have included 28 parking spaces.

A resident of Richmond Walk addressed councillors to ‘strongly oppose’ the scheme. 

She said it would further exacerbate the parking issues in the area and increase congestion,

“The building is going to be an eyesore, it’s not going to be something that’s actually fitting in with the community. It doesn’t stand right with any of us,” she added.

“That green area is the only green area that we have where children play. If that green area is taken away it will cause mental, emotional and social problems.”

Councillor Abdul Jabbar, a Coldhurst ward member, said he had ‘never received so many complaints and objections’ about a planning application in his tenure on the council.

“That’s the only green space that we’ve got in the whole area. I find it absolutely bizarre that a developer is using council land, which is an open space, and suggesting that car parking land should be included there,” he added.

He also addressed the problems around traffic on Winterbottom Street, which he said the proposed development would increase.

Coun Jabbar added: “It is going to be an absolute nightmare for the school and the children’s centre. I go on a regular basis, I’ve seen people argue, I’ve even seen people fight, people parking cars in the middle of the road.

“We’re talking about bringing 120 units of accommodation into this space. It’s just not feasible at all. I genuinely worry about it.”     

Spencer Fretwell, speaking for the application, said the site is currently derelict and there was a ‘lot of antisocial behaviour’ occurring there.

“Drug use, homelessness, crime, arson,” he added.

“We very much feel that developing of the site would be to the greater benefit to address those issues.

“The site has been previously used as a medical centre which would have had a lot of vehicle movement coming in and out of the site.

“We feel that it is an ideal site for housing provision.

"The site topography is ideal for a high-rise development with its location next to the flyover at the bottom of the hill.

“It is proposed to be high quality apartments to provide uplift to the local economy and to support local businesses.”

Mr Fretwell said they were proposing to take on the ‘long-term sustainable management’ of the woodland, including seasonal pruning and maintenance.

On the issue of open space, he added they had identified two sites in the local area where they would look to install children’s play areas. 

However, councillors voted that the decision they would have taken would be to refuse the application.

This will now be passed onto the planning inspectorate for consideration, and a final ruling.

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