Housing anger

Photo: Anthony Miller

LOCAL opposition . . . residents on Arncliffe Rise, Moorside

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CONTROVERSIAL plans for a housing development on a small grass bank outside existing homes have infuriated a group of residents.

An application to build nine houses between properties on Arncliffe Rise, Moorside, has left locals concerned about being crammed in.

More than 30 residents signed a letter, which has now been given to Oldham Council, objecting to the development, citing road safety, traffic volume, loss of privacy and open space and the risk of flooding as reasons for the development not to go ahead.

The proposal will see seven three-bedroom and two two-bedroom houses built on the grass bank strip owned by Paterbridge Ltd, Shaw.

The site is in close proximity to the former Hill Top School which is now earmarked for a residential development. The application, submitted by HNA Architects on behalf of Paterbridge Ltd, said the development will bring affordable housing as well as helping to fulfil the requirements of the controversial Greater Manchester Spatial Framework.

David Meredith, a resident of Arncliffe Rise, said: "We have written a complaint letter which has gone into the council and I know a couple of residents have handed in other objections themselves.

"There will be car parking issues.

"The proposals we have seen claim they will provide more parking space. But for nine three-bedroom houses there will be a higher traffic volume with the cars and also with the development on the Hill Top school site.

"One of the things the development will do is when the buses come round the corner it will create a blind spot with nine houses in the middle ­- it will be dangerous."

As the ground slopes, Mr Meredith said residents were concerned about losing privacy and also that if the houses were built, new owners would have little privacy themselves.

David added: "There will be loss of open space. Children play on that area and it is safe. The open area provides a path from one side of the road to the other, it provides two walkways.

"Another thing is you have got development at Hill Top which will have JCBs and trucks coming through. Where are the ones that are coming for this development going to go?"

Residents also have concerns about flooding in the area, David said.

"It's absolutely ridiculous," he added.

Paterbridge Ltd declined a request to comment.