Housing scheme set to go before planners

LAND between Thorp Road, Albert Street and Burnsall Grove, Royton due to be developed for new homes

A DEVELOPMENT of rent-to-buy and shared ownership homes in Royton has been submitted for planning approval.

First Choice Homes Oldham have submitted plans for 28 homes at land of Thorp Road, with a mixture of one and two storey homes on the site.

The development site, bounded by Thorp Road, Albert Street and Burnsall Grove, would include a mixture of two and three bedroom homes available under "rent to buy" and shared ownership schemes, as well as properties at affordable rent.

Under the plans off road parking would be provided for each house, with 50 per cent of the properties having two parking spaces provided.

The development would be split into two, two-bed bungalows for affordable rent, eight, two-bed houses (Rent to buy), ten three-bed houses (shared ownership), seven three-bed wide fronted houses (rent to buy) and one three bed house (rent to buy).

The report states: "The house numbers and mix are in direct response to current FCHO housing needs.

"The proposed new layout has been designed to improve connectivity through the area from Leyburn Avenue to Thorp Road which will improve existing congestion issues on Leyburn Avenue.

"There are two distinct areas of housing on he proposed layout the first comprising seven units provides new frontage onto Thorp and Burnsall Grove.

"The second area of new housing is aligned either side of the new access road off Thorp Road."

Open space on site is classified as "amenity open space" however the report states that it is "of low quality and lacks form and structure".

If the plans are approved, amenity space will be provided on the southern proportion of the site with a green landscaped area.

Under the proposals some trees on site would be removed to accommodate the new development and a new landscaping design for the site will be prepared to compensate fot the loss of existing trees.

Historically the site housed a mill, subsequently demolished and cleared from site. It has also been used as garages and car parking.

Local residents have been informed of the proposals and a community event was held in March for anyone wishing to discuss the plans. The application is due to go before planning soon.