MANY of the issues surrounding a former Saddleworth hotel now being used as temporary accommodation have been resolved.
But one councillor admits he is ‘unconvinced’ by Oldham Council’s stance – and separate investigations are taking place into complaints over the attitude of staff working on what was Clough Manor.
People living close to the Denshaw site have complained about what it has been used for, what is being done and how those doing it are going about it.
Oldham Council’s deputy chief executive of place Emma Barton issued a major update on the present and future of what is now called W.Apart Hotel.
She also assured those with concerns about those staying there, saying: “They are not re-habilitated offenders, asylum seekers or vulnerable adults with dependency issues.”
One rather trivial issue, though, is being highlighted as she added: “The only concerns reported from the residents related to the internet connectivity being poor or slow.
“The hotel is currently being used to house families and individuals at the request of Oldham Council’s Housing Team.
“Rules are in place supervised by Kirkham’s, who are managing the hotel, to prevent issues arising from anti-social behaviour.”
As all rooms are being redecorated, the site being treated for damp and windows are replaced, among other things, some issues have occurred.
But fly tipping and building materials tipped on the field next to the car park have been removed.
Large mounds of earth and hay bales will be moved once drainage work is complete, while trees that have been felled were not protected.
Yet complaints over the attitude and behaviour of people working at the site are being probed, with investigations into whether it is representatives of contractors, management company Kirkham Property Chadderton or property owner – Oldham-based Mayfair Properties – who are allegedly responsible taking place.
The blocking of a public right of way and right of access has also been resolved.
But Emma Barton warned Oldham Council is watching for any attempts to breach planning regulations.
She added: “The way in which the property now operates differs to how a traditional hotel would.
“However, even if the current use operates outside the planning definition of a ‘hotel,’ planning enforcement action could only be justified where the use directly results in significant harm over and above that which could arise from a hotel use – this is called the expediency test.
“The current activities are not considered to result in impacts that are materially greater than those which could arise from a traditional hotel use.
“Given the removal of trees, the team is aware that there might be plans to carry out further development and as such, any extension, new building, or material alterations to existing levels might represent a breach of planning controls.
“After several site inspections, it is understood that there are no current plans to extend the car park or build on this field.
“For the works that have taken place so far, planning permission is not required unless the land is re-modelled or to increase its height.
“We have been informed that the land is to be re-landscaped and re-seeded to its original form.
“The Planning Enforcement Team continues to review and investigate any matters which arise from local residents – they are the first point of contact on these matters.
“Regarding the present use of the building, I recognise that many local people are frustrated that community consent has not been sought for the former hotel to now operate as a de-facto hostel.”
Despite the lengthy explanation, Oldham Council’s response has not completely convinced Saddleworth North Councillor Luke Lancaster, who feels Mayfair Properties – listed as having Shaista Bibi and Malik Hussain as directors – should have sought planning permission.
He also urged anyone angered by what is happening to act properly.
He said: “I am unconvinced by the position of the OMBC Planning Department, and my personal view is that a planning application for change of use ought to be made by the owner/developer, in which the community is invited to share its collective views.
“It is also worth stressing at this stage – however frustrating the present situation may be, it is important that concerns are raised in a proper, professional manner, preferably via ward councillors and the local authority.
“Any attempts to engage the temporary residents housed at the former Clough Manor are not appropriate, particularly any of a hostile nature.”
The truth is that Oldham desperately needs this kind of accommodation.
I personally know of one woman with five children who’s currently being evicted, (no fault,) from her current accommodation and who’s been told she may be in a homeless hostel for up to five years.
This isn’t the answer of course, the answer is to build a lot more secure and properly managed social housing but that isn’t happening and it isn’t going to..
Thank you for your understanding, it’s terribly sad that there are over 7,000 placements currently out of borough needing placement in Oldham to be closer to children’s schools, families, GPs, dentists etc however given the current “housing crisis” there just aren’t enough properties available hence the Council are utilising hotel rooms as a temporary measure.
The site is totally unsuitable for what it is proposed to be. It is remote and not on a bus route with no amenities close by. How the residents are to survive there without any means or transport is beyond me. If children are involved were will they be schooled? where will they go for medical help? This needs to be stopped and a complete root and branches investigation undertaken. It is becoming common place for developers to ride rough shod where ever they want with Oldham council turning a blind eye.
There’s a primary school on the corner of Delph Road, (I think it’s Delph Road just opposite The Junction.)
More and more Doctor’s are now conducting consultations over the phone anyway.
Dear Simon, we understand your concerns however many of the guests placed at the hotel by Oldham Council have their own Vehicles and for those who do not the hotel provide a daily bus/taxi service to those in order for them to get their children to and from school setting’s. The council will not place anyone who isn’t suitable for the setting.
These guests have been moved from out of borough (Manchester & Bury) back into the Oldham Borough where they are originally from to be closer to their children’s schooling, families, Dentist’s and GP’s.
If you have any queries you wish to be answered, please do contact us directly on w.hotels@outlook.com.
There are so many derelict buildings the Council owns/has access to you really have to question why they are suddenly paying the owner of what was a derelict hotel a very large amount of money to re-house people in a location which is not suitable at all. What is the connection between the 20 year old Director listed as in charge of this company and OMBC….?
Dear John,
There is no connection between the “20 year old Director and OMBC” We (Kirkham Property Management LTD) manage the occupancy with OMBC and they liaise directly with ourselves, the director has no involvement with the current occupancy.
If you have any questions or concerns, please do not hesitate to contact us directly on w.hotels@outlook.com
So the owners of the “hotel” do not receive money from OMBC? Nonsense. What is the nightly rate OMBC are paying?
I can’t agree more with the previous comments, The location is totally unsuitable for temporary housing, there are no shops within walking distance, GP is either Saddleworth or Milnrow, the village school in Denshaw is far too small, public transport is not bear by the road opposite is far too dangerous for young unsupervised children, I’d be cautious, Oldham council should be more transparent, publish what these owners are charging the Council and are the owners maintain its a hotel when it clearly isn’t to get away with what they are doing. The whole thing stinks to me.
If that’s the case ho how do the people who already live there manage then ?
It seems as suitable as anywhere else to me and it’s a commercial deal aimed at bringing an otherwise derelict property back into productive use and providing desperately needed shelter for vulnerable people in real and immediate need.
Perhaps it’s not ideal in some respects; but it’s a lot better than nothing at all and much as the denizens of some parts of Saddleworth might wish that the rest of Oldham would just go away and leave them all alone, they’re part of a town of a quarter of million other people and that simply isn’t going to happen
Nor should it.
You do not know it is a commercial deal and many suspect it is quite the opposite. There are so many empty buildings in the town centre, many owned by the Council which should be used as they are more suitable. And they should build some skyscrapers in Derker and allow the town to spread up Huddersfield Road.
There are also several other such empty and delapidated buildings in Denshaw alone, (and many accross Saddleworth,)the old Co-op buildings spring immediately to mind and the buildings in question are already adapted for residential occupation and probably need a minimum of adaption to be used as this kind of desperately needed emergency housing anyway
So it’s probably far more cost effective to use them anyway.
As for Derker, (and other social housing in Oldham,) well if the council hadn’t insisted on knocking 2/3 of it down an not replacing it then this problem wouldn’t been nearly so serious or acute.
Dear Peter,
Rest assured this is a “commercial deal” between the operator of the hotel and OMBC. There are currently over 7000 placements needing a home in the Oldham Borough, the “deal” is that OMBC pay a nightly fee for the hotel rooms to place those that currently don’t have a place to call home, once a property becomes available that’s suitable they are then moved onto their more permanent home.
If you have any questions you need answering, please do not hesitate to contact the hotel directly via email.