60 new homes heading for mill site

Fernhurst Mill

A PROPOSAL for 60 new houses and two car showrooms at the demolished Fernhurst Mill site was driven through by councillors.

Residents wanted to put the brakes on the scheme at the large area of Chadderton scrub land after concerns of access and near-by roads.

More than 50 letters of objection and a petition of 50 signatures was handed into the council about the development off Chadderton Way and Fernhurst Street.

Locals living on Bronville Close and Fernhurst Street believe more congestion and car-parking problems will come in as a result.

All three Chadderton North councillors expressed worry about the housing development’s access from Fernhust Street via Burnley Lane — plus a lack of play areas for local children.

Councillor Jack Hulme said: “The residents understand and certainly the three local ward councillors understand the need for viable housing in Oldham and North Chadderton in particular.

“We’re not against the development of the housing, but what we are very strongly against is the arrangements for access to and from the development.”

The highways department announced the junction of Burnley Lane and Fernhurst Street had been historically used by heavy goods vehicles for the former mill. There have been no accidents at this junction for the past five years, according to recent data.

Councillors, who eventually approved the scheme, demanded cycling improvements to the A627 roundabout, a play area to be brought in for the residents and showroom floodlights to be switched off at a reasonable hour.

The last company to use Fernhurst Mill was Constellation Luggage, which moved out of the site 18 months ago.

The mill, which was bulldozed earlier this year was designed by AH Stott and Sons and built in 1905 by the Fernhurst Spinning Company.