LOCAL COUNCILLORS and residents are rallying together against plans to build up to 265 new homes on open green space in Springhead.
Russell Homes is proposing to build the high-quality family homes, including affordable housing, between Lees New Road/Knowls Lane and Ashbrook Road/Oldham Road.
There will be a new link road through the site, while some areas of the land will be retained as public open space and enhanced with key landscape corridors.
Russell Homes is presenting the outline plans at a Public Exhibition at Thursday, July 20 from 3pm-7pm at Springhead Community Centre, Ashes Lane, Springhead.
All are welcome to attend to see the plans, and representatives from Russell Homes and their consultant team will be available to answer questions on the proposals.
All feedback received at the event will be considered and presented in a Statement of Community Engagement, which will be submitted with the planning application.
However, the plans so far have been met with much opposition by local residents and councillors.
Cllr Barbara Beeley, who is chair of the Springhead and Lees Community Association, has twice previously launched successful petitions against the development of the site.
Now she has once more set up an online petition as she is determined to save the area, some of which is designated as ‘OPOL’ (other protected open land) by Oldham Council.
“Ashbrook and Thornley Brook valleys are threatened by the proposed development, with a new road potentially going through from Springhead Post Office to Lees New Road,” she said.
“A new road would inevitably create a rat run from Lees Road to Huddersfield Road and beyond, creating problems for Bridge Street, Carr House Road, Den Lane and Stamford Road.
“Both valleys are havens for wildlife as well as important recreational areas in Springhead, Lees and Grotton which have little open green space.
“It would also affect the Fruit Route which follows the linear park from Grotton through Springhead and Lees to Alexandra Park.
“There are also numerous rights of way criss-cross through the valley and have been there for years and it would be a shame to lose those.”
She added: “A lot of residents I’ve spoken to are up in arms about these plans.
“There are so many old mill sites in Saddleworth that should be developed instead, as well as around 430 homes currently not occupied and those should be made habitable instead.
“We are asking local residents to register their objection by signing our petition at http://www.saddleworthlibdems.org.uk/thornley-brook/ and write to planning@oldham.gov.uk or Chief Planning Officer, Oldham Council, Civic Centre, West Street, Oldham, OL1 1AA.”
A nearby resident, who wished to be unnamed, said: “Oldham Council has described it has ‘a heavily developed area’ so why would they consider more development?
“The land next to it is OPOL and that has been the case for the last few years why should it suddenly be overturned now?
“We know there is a need for building and new homes but we need to look at it and see if this is the right way forward.
“It has been shown that things like mental health is improved by access to green spaces, but these plans are just going to concrete over it. It will then justify chipping away in the rest of the green belt area.
“There has not been much consideration for the wildlife in the area. There are bats living there, as well as a large number of badger sets, and they are a protected species.
“The schools are already exhausted, you can’t get a doctor’s appointment for love nor money, and there isn’t enough parking. Building more homes will just make things worse.”
If you are unable to attend the event and would like a copy of the exhibition email: craig.barnes@bartonwillmore.co.uk or send a letter to Thomas Relph, Russel Homes, 13 Westpoint Enterprise Park, Clarence Avenue, Trafford Park, Manchester M17 1QS or call 0161 868 4310.
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