Plan to extend hours of warehouse backed

LAND on north side of Primrose Bank earmarked for a warehouse and offices

AN APPLICATION to alter the opening hours of a warehouse and office development have been approved - despite opposition from residents.

Councillors approved an application to change the opening hours of a First Choice Homes Oldham warehouse that is yet to be built on land off Primrose Bank from 8am - 6pm Monday to Friday to 7.30am - 6.30pm Monday to Friday - under the condition that measures to reduce the impact of sound are taken.

In August the development was approved under the condition that no one would enter the site before 8am with residents voicing concerns of increased traffic and parking, road safety, noise and loss of privacy.

However, FCHO argued to the planning committee that to open the development at 8am would be impractical as they need office employees working in the building from 7.30am and if refused said they would not be able to continue with the development.

FCHO said they were aware of concerns about traffic disruption caused by vehicle movements associated with day-to-day operations but explained that they have operated from a constrained site at Copsterhill Road since 1965 without complaints about disturbance caused by their operation.

However, Coucillor Rod Blyth highlighted that Copsterhill Road was on a main road and the residents there would likely not notice any difference in sound levels.

Abdul Bashir, an objector, said: "We would like to object to this proposal. There would be an increase in traffic, parking and difficulty in turning around, road safety fears and a rise in noise level."

He said: "The resubmission of this application to the planning committee wastes valuable time and effort and totally disregards the decision on the last application which is both outrageous and insulting."

Mr Bashir went on to suggest that if it was only office employees needed to prepare the start of the day then why not leave their car park open and a car park to the warehouse closed.

Michael Brown, representing FCHO, said that this had been discussed but were told in previous planning committee meetings that it would be impossible to police. When asked if a 7.30am start would mean workers arrived before their shift to be at their desk in time, Mr Brown said: "We have applied for 7.30am. If you give us that then you will arrive at that time."

Now approved, developers must look into ways to reduce the impact of sound on the surrounding area. The development, which is nearby a gym, barber's shop, restaurant and other retail units, as well as houses and a public play area will be made of dark red brickwork covered in metal panels, with the roof coated light grey.