Councillors vow to fight 'land grab'

Alan Belmore

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LIB-DEM councillors on Saddleworth Parish Council are leading the fight against a "devastating land grab" which could see open spaces developed.

Saddleworth Councillors Alan Belmore and John McCann have argued that the developments announced under the Greater Manchester Spatial Framework (GMSF) draft plan constitute "only a fraction" of areas at risk of development in Saddleworth and Oldham.

The GMSF draft plan sets out proposals to provide housing and investment opportunities for sustainable growth over the next 20 years.

The GMSF plan outlines a need for an extra 227,200 homes across Greater Manchester by 2035, including 13,700 (six per cent of the total) in Oldham.

To meet this need, areas in Oldham have been identified as potential sites, including Cowlishaw (640 homes), Broadment Moss (1,000 homes and employment floorspace), Beal Valley (900 homes) and Hanging Chadder (600 homes).

There are also plans for 100 holiday lodges and 120 new homes at Robert Fletcher's Paper Mill and the surrounding land close to Dovestone Reservoir.

These sites are now out for public consultation and residents can have their say until January 16.

Since 2015, a total of 98 areas of land in Oldham have been submitted to the GMSF by owners or developers as sites which could be suitable for housing or employment development.

Several sites in Saddleworth were put forward.

In Greenfield, sites include land off Armit Road and Manchester Road, while Dobcross areas identified for development include land off Sandy Lane.

In Diggle, land at Ward Lane has been submitted along with Summershades at Grasscroft.

Areas in Grotton include land at Coverhill Road and Bailey Mill in Delph has also been put forward.

Councillors Alan Belmore and John McCann said: "Residents should wake up to the massive threat to Saddleworth villages before it is too late.

"We recognise that housing development is needed to meet local needs, but Greater Manchester's huge 'land grab' typifies their over the top, 'we know best attitude' that alienates people and brings politics into disrepute."

Other sites, which were not included in the draft plan but are still at risk of development, include areas of Woodhouses, including land off Failsworth Road/Medlock Road and Bottom Field Farm.Areas in Oldham, including Hathershaw College playing fields, and land off Ashton Road/Coal Pit Lane were also included.