Residents 'left in the dark' over housing

CHRISTINA GATER, Chair of Foxdenton and District Protection Group overlooking the land earmarked for development.

1 More Image(s) In Gallery

OLDHAM Council is facing a backlash after residents claimed they were being left in the dark on a decision over the controversial Foxdenton Lane housing and business development.

Residents who oppose Chadderton's £100million development were left reeling after a decision on whether to give funding to start infrastructure works in a joint venture with Foxdenton LLP Developer Grasscroft properties, was discussed behind closed doors by cabinet members on Monday night - leaving those opposed without an update since February, last year.

The cabinet decided to discuss the future of the development, which will see largely open land transformed into a 120-acre site with up to 500 new homes and industrial units up to 30 metres high, including a 700,000sq ft warehouse, behind closed doors as they deemed it commercially sensitive, however those in opposition believe it is so they can carry on the plans without dealing with their concerns.

As part of the work the scheme will also see a spine road connecting the A663 Broadway and B6189 Foxdenton Lane, vehicle access to the site and demolition of buildings and the erection of employment led, mixed development offices, warehousing, factory units, homes and a 20-acre 'linear park'.

The aim of the development is to create a premium business location with significant job opportunities as well as creating upmarket homes which will have easy access to both junction 21 of the M60 and junction 20 of the M62.

It was overwhelmingly backed by councillors for its potential for jobs and housing but it has caused animosity as critics say other old industrial sites should be developed on rather than open space.

There are also concerns about traffic congestion, noise and pollution, pressure on local schools and public footpaths.

John Walton, speaking on behalf of Foxdenton & District Protection Group, was left frustrated by the lack of communication.

He said: "It had gone very quiet for a while now. We don't get communication. We can see that things are starting to come together from the bits and pieces that we can get.

"It is typical of this council, they want to keep everything under wraps. They are a stealth council.

"It is supposed to be a cooperative council but the dividends seems to be always in their court.

"There is sufficient brownfield sites that could be used for development rather than building on existing green belt land."

Foxdenton & District Protection Group, who are followed by over 1,300 people, will continue to campaign as they look to reduce the impact of any development.

John added: "I think the group in it's attempts to stop them have been fairly successful. It got planning permission in 2014 and then work was supposed to happen six months later, then six months after that.

"Nothing's been done yet so we have delayed it.

He said: "We will just carry on campaigning against it, the thing is they have got planning permission so there will be some development.

"But we have got to help reduce the impact there is going to be from any development."

Quiet
Facebook users condemned the decision to hold the discussion behind closed doors.

Sue Nickson said: "They can't hang their heads in shame as they have none! Oldham Council is now nothing but a bunch of individuals with no interest about the area or its residents, they are purely in it for themselves."

Mark Johnson added: "When they go quiet it usually means they haven't really got the answers you want to hear."

But in a statement last night Jean Stretton, Oldham Council Leader, said: "The report had to be confidential for all the right legal reasons as it is commercially sensitive.

"However, we remain on track to deliver a positive scheme for Foxdenton and we'll have announcements to make in due course."

The Chronicle tried to contact developer Michael Coulter, of Grasscroft Property Company Limited, but heard nothing.