Have your say on plans for borough development

SADDLEWORTH LOCALS can have their say on areas identified for development or protection across the borough as part of Oldham Council’s Local Plan.

A list of potential sites has been collated by the local authority into a Site Allocations Development Plan Document ‘Options Report’, informed by a ‘Call for Sites’ exercisein 2012.

And residential, businesses, organisations, developers and landowners are invited tocomment on the list and suggested plans before the deadline of Friday, February 21.

Comments can also be given on sites that have been discounted and additional sites can be put forward.

And local leading figures have urged the public to get involved with the process.

Councillor John Hudson, who is also Mayor of Oldham, told a Parish Council meeting: “I think it is crucial people get involved and have their say on what happens to their local area.”

Cllr Mike Buckley added: “I wish we could have meetings with every village association and local people about what they want to see – but we do not have time.

“All we can do is ask residents and groups to get involved with this and put forwardtheir comments.”

And Mike Rooke told a Greenfield and Grasscroft Residents’ Association meeting: “This is an opportunity to do our best to ensure certain areas are protected and have our say on key places.”

The Site Allocations Plan will be part of the suite of documents that make up the council’s Local Plan, allocating land for development or protection to meet the borough’s economic, environmental and social objectives.

Sites on the list include Bailey Mill in Delph, Robert Fletchers Mill in Greenfield, Shaw Pallets in Diggle, land at Ward Lane in Diggle and Ladcastle Road inDobcross, and Dacres Hall in Greenfield.

The Site Allocations DPD ‘Options Report’ can be viewed at local libraries or online at: www.oldham.gov.uk

Comments can be sent online via the website, emailed to spi@oldham.gov.uk or posted to Strategic Planning and Information, Neighbourhoods, Oldham Council, Room 310, Civic Centre, Oldham, OL1 1UG.