Have your say on 'land grab'

Howard Sykes

OLDHAM'S Liberal Democrats are urging residents to have their say on proposals in the Greater Manchester strategic framework consultation before the deadline at midnight tonight.

The leader of the Liberal Democrat opposition group on Oldham Council, Councillor Howard Sykes, has formally submitted the Liberal Democrats group's response to the recent GMSF consultation.

Cllr Sykes said: "People are angry and very passionate about the proposed loss of vast tracks of our green space and Green Belt but must make a response if they are to have any chance of having their voices being heard."

Within the submitted response the group argue that the plans represent a "massive and inequitable land grab in Royton, Shaw and Crompton with the devastation of our local Green belt and OPOL (Other Protected Open Land)".

The draft GMSF has proposed to build hundreds of new properties at land including Hanging Chadder, Cowlishaw, Beal Valley and east and west of the A627M, amongst others.

The Lib Dem submission adds: "It is the view of the group that there is no justification for the construction of a large number of properties (or indeed any properties) on Green Belt or OPOL before new homes are first built on brownfield sites, on sites where planning permission for housing development has already been granted and upon the many derelict and unloved sites in our town centres and districts."

It added that empty mills and factories could be converted for housing and work should be done to bring current empty homes back into use.

"All this should be done before any consideration is given to future development on Green Belt or OPOL and this development for Oldham should, in our view, be apportioned better in the metropolitan borough rather than disproportionately in Royton, Shaw and Crompton as at present," it states.

The Lib Dems also add that transport, schools, health centres and leisure facilities will need significant investment to cope.

"Under the proposals, 3,000 homes will be built in Royton, Shaw and Crompton for families.

"These new residents will need more primary and secondary school places; more GPs and dentists; leisure and shopping facilities; and new highways and more buses and trams to get them there."

To make a submission on the proposals email GMSF@agma.gov.uk or visit greatermanchester-ca.gov.uk/GMSF