Residents oppose plans to build on green space

PROTEST . . . Residents and members Bardsley Community Association at the Keb Lane site

A COMMUNITY has hit out against plans to build on Bardsley's "last remaining" green space.

Residents voiced concerns about a new social housing development at Keb Lane saying it would be "devastating" for the village.

First Choice Homes Oldham (FCHO) last week confirmed the land has been earmarked for 26 two and three-bedroom houses. Properties would be available via a government "rent to buy" scheme designed for working households to rent for five years after which they may be able to buy.

The proposals form part of wider plans to address the lack of affordable homes in Oldham by building 200 properties.

FCHO said feedback from residents is "being considered" and it expected to make some amendments to the proposal in response before a full planning application is submitted..

But members of Bardsley Community and Playing Fields Association are "angered" and "devastated" by the announcement.

Chairman Karl Richardson said: "This will ruin the village. It will mean the dissemination of a village that has traditionally been a lovely place to live. It will become crowded and unsafe. There is already a huge parking problem in Keb Lane.

"There are already too many houses with not enough facilities. The infrastructure of the village is just not big enough."

A public consultation on the plans is under way before an application is submitted to Oldham Council for planning approval.

A FCHO consultation document stated that building on the Keb Lane site would contribute to the 12,500 new homes Oldham is expected to deliver as set out by the Greater Manchester Strategic Framework (GMSF).

But Debra Grice, of Merlin Close, said building at Keb Lane "would have a devastating impact on the village".

She said: "This patch of land is the only recreational area we have as a village. The rest of the grassed areas are too boggy and unusable. This area is also a gateway to beautiful areas."

Debra emphasised the land has "regularly been used" for activities such as barbecues and family fun days. She added: "The houses would be far too close to my home and there would be a car park right outside my front gate."

The impact on wildlife, cutting down of trees, loss of the natural spring and existing access to a children's playground via Keb Lane were also raised as concerns.

Committee member Deborah Barratt, of Levington Drive, said: "The entire village is annoyed about this. FCHO held a drop-in meeting on February 15 but not everyone was notified.

"I can't walk far and have just moved house to be next to the green space because of my disability and now they want to take it away."

FCHO said the new homes would meet modern standards and requirements in terms of thermal comfort, energy efficiency and environmental impact and would all have off-road parking.

Dave Woods, FCHO homes and investment director, said: "We invited residents from the 120 homes closest to the proposed development to our consultation event." He added: "We are also exploring options to help address the existing parking concerns.

"The new properties will be family accommodation which matches the demand analysis we have for what is a very popular area. Part of this site has previously been used for housing and there are alternative areas for recreation very close by which includes the current playground."

A FCHO consultation document said: "Oldham has been assessed by the GMSF to provide 625 homes annually. FCHO will continue a programme of building new homes across the region with the site at Keb Lane proposed to contribute to this much needed delivery."