30 firms fear for their future

FORCED out? Workers at the Phoenix Mill Industrial Estate are unhappy it could be turned into housing

Mill redevelopment could cost 100 jobs

BOSSES fear that plans to transform an industrial estate into housing and offices will cause up to 30 businesses to close with the loss of around 100 jobs.

An application to turn Phoenix Mill Industrial Estate, Cheetham Street, Failsworth, into 86 houses and apartments and a commercial space goes before Oldham Council’s planning committee tomorrow and is recommended for approval.

But it faces opposition from workers and locals who are concerned that the small and medium-sized businesses won’t be able to relocate. There are around 40 units containing up to 30 businesses.

Nineteen letters of objection and a petition bearing 20 signatures have been sent to the council over the loss of jobs and firms, including window manufacturers, welders and vehicle repair workshops.

They argue that substantial investment has been made to existing businesses that have an established customer base and the estate is busy and popular.

Residents have also raised concerns that the development will create a significant increase in traffic that will endanger school children’s safety and exacerbate parking problems.

Norman Shackleton, director of Machined Components Ltd with Neil Edwards, said his firm had been at the estate for 15 years and employs four people.

He said: “We are talking about 100 jobs on the site altogether. It’s been ongoing for a considerable length of time and a lot of people are concerned.

“It will have a great effect on the business. With times like these and having to relocate, the financial aspect will have a bearing on whether we can continue or not.”

Gary Yates, director of Surefit Windows and Doors who employ four people, said: “It’s a concern. We will have to shut the business and see if we can relocate. It’s not the best of times to find cost-effective premises and will have a detrimental effect on the workforce.

“We have been here 12 years. If we can’t find somewhere we can’t trade any more. We have been looking but some of the prices are ridiculous. There’s no one in place to help locate people on the estate. At the moment day to day running of a business is a concern without this on top.”

Rennie Harewood, director of HMS Welding Ltd, which takes up three units and employs seven people, said: “We will have to relocate and we are very well established here having been here since 1996. We provide services to Greater Manchester Police, Greater Manchester Transport and Oldham Council. Moving will be a problem not only for us but our clients as well.

“There’s not much industrial space in Oldham. It’s a big concern. It’s the upheaval when we are so well established. We can’t afford to fight it in the current climate. Some people will just pack up. There’s no incentive to move and bear all the costs.

“They did not even consult us originally. There are already empty flats around here. I can’t see how it can be passed.”

Harold Cleworth has run Cleworth Motors on the estate for 21 years but will be forced to close and make four staff redundant.

He said: “It’s just terrible. It’s really difficult and everyone is disheartened. We are all just trying to earn a living. There are no alternative units we can go to. We have tried and we can’t get anywhere.

“They say it’s derelict but it’s not. It’s been an industrial estate all these years and now they are trying to turn it into a housing estate.”

Planning officers say the industrial units are of poor and degenerating condition and in need of substantial upgrade and the continued use of the site for employment purposes is no longer economically viable. There’s been one letter of support saying it will benefit the visual amenity of the area.

The developers will have to pay £216,000 towards improvements to High Memorial Park, £638,000 for on-site affordable housing provision, £25,000 towards improving junction 22 of the M60 and £25,000 towards a cycle track.

They would also create a children’s play area at the centre of the development.

The scheme involves 61 three or four bedroom houses and 25 two bed apartments and includes traffic calming measures and parking solutions ranging from garages to driveway spaces and a car parking courtyard.