Businesses threatened by housing plan

Phoenix Industrial Estate, in Failsworth, could be demolished to make way for 89 homes.

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BUSINESS owners at a Failsworth industrial estate say they have been kept in the dark over demolition to make way for housing.

In March 2014 Oldham planning committee approved an application to build 89 homes at the Phoenix Mills Industrial Estate, between Cheetham Street and Duke Street. Up to 100 jobs could be lost when the 40 units are demolished.

The original proposal to turn the site into a mixture of houses and offices was rejected in 2012, but

applicant Mooney Rodgers Ltd appealed and permission was granted, subject to a payment to the council of £200,000 for public open spaces and support for business relocation.

This was despite a 41-signature petition opposing the plan over parking problems, the loss of jobs and the dismantling of roofs with asbestos.

At least two thirds of the 40 units remain in operation, but the planning inspector’s report considered the site to be “unviable as a future employment generating site.”

With morale at the site low and the issue of relocating the businesses to be discussed at tomorrow’s planning committee, business owners complain they haven’t had contact with either the council or the developers.

Robert Haslop, who has owned C&M MOT test station for eight years said: “Nobody knows where they’re up to. We’re in the dark. We don’t know if we will be here in six months, 12 months or 18 months. It won’t be easy to relocate.”

The sentiments were echoed by Alex Hilton, who only opened Platinum auto body repair shop last year.

Alex, who works with five other people, said: “We’re quite settled here and if this demolition goes ahead it’s going to cause us a bit of grief. This has been going on and on and it could go on for another two years.”

Harold Cleworth, who has owned Cleworth Motors for nearly 30 years, said: “They’re getting rid of work on an industrial estate when there’s plenty of land for houses. It has been an industrial estate for over 100 years. I’ve got nowhere to relocate. I think I will have to close down.”