DETERMINED LOCALS are calling for a community push to help fight plans for 265 new homes to be built in Springhead and Lees’s open green spaces.
In July, Russell Homes unveiled their proposals for the large development of high-quality family homes and a new link road in Thornley Brook Valley and Ashbrook Valley.
The 40-acre green space – one of the last in Springhead – is popular with walkers, riders and children, and home to much wildlife including herons, owls, bats, badgers.
52 per cent of the site, some of which is council-owned and some privately, is safeguarded land for residential development under saved policy H1.2 of the Oldham Unitary Development Plan, while the other 48 per cent is OPOL (other protected open land).
Plans to replace it with homes have been met by concern and anger by many residents and councillors.
More than 500 people have put their name to a ‘Save Our Valleys’ petition and there was standing room only at two public meetings last month as people gathered to raise concerns.
5,000 leaflets and posters are being distributed with information about the project, and a website and social media pages have been launched.
And more than £2,000 was donated to a Just Giving page in less than a week as the ‘Save Our Valleys’ team targets £5,000 for specialist help to fight the planning application.
The team met with Oldham Council’s head of planning in a bid to get more information about the plans and how best to oppose them.
“We didn’t really find out anything else, so we’ve just got to wait for the plans to be submitted in mid August then we’ll know what we are fighting,” they said.
Main concerns around the plans include loss of green space, the new road, noise, effect on the environment and wildlife, and the strain on schools, doctors and transport.
The team added: “We feel the developers have kept very quiet over a lot of the information, and aren’t answering many of our questions.
“We are looking for people to come forward and help us. It doesn’t matter if you haven’t got expertise in planning – we need people to deliver leaflets and get our information out.”
They are also planning a ‘Save our Valleys’ walk through the area on Saturday, September 16 to raise awareness of the plans, as well as funds to help their cause. More details to be announced soon.
A ‘hybrid’ planning application is expected to be submitted in mid August, including one part for the link road between Lees New Road with Ashbrook Road with access points, and a second for outline planning for the homes, open space and landscaping.
Debbie Abrahams, MP for Oldham East and Saddleworth, said: “I have been contacted by constituents about proposals for new homes on Thornley Brook and Ashbrook.
“I attended a public exhibition on the plans where concerns were raised by residents regarding the impact on OPOL and wildlife.
“I share these concerns as well as the lack of affordable and social housing included in the plans.
“It is important we do more to build new homes but we must ensure they are affordable and that we continue to protect our green spaces. Brownfield land must be considered first.”
In their consultation documents, Russell Homes state: “There is a critical housing shortage facing the country resulting in chronic affordability issues for local young people and families. New homes are desperately needed in Oldham.
“The site is well connected to the urban area. It is at a sustainable location, and is accessible to a range of community facilities within a suitable walking and cycling distance of the site.”
They add that as the site is located in Flood Zone 1, of lowest flood risk, and a very small section in Flood Zones 2/3, their technical team is liaising with the Environment Agency.
And they name benefits of the development – which would have a nine-year construction timetable – as job opportunities, new family homes, new open space and opportunities for wildlife.
lFind out more about ‘Save Our Valleys on their Facebook page www.facebook.com/saveourvalleyslees or visit their Just Giving page at: www.justgiving.com/crowdfunding/saveourvalleyslees
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