Oldham refuses 37 affordable homes against officer recommendation

Councillors took issue with Oakmere Homes’ plans to build on a nearly three-acre site in Royton, citing highway safety, land contamination, and flooding concerns – as well as the loss of a green corridor.

Technical experts reviewing the application had taken no issue with the above reasons for refusals, which Oldham councillors were reminded of during the planning committee meeting on Wednesday. They were told that voting to refuse for these reasons could put them at risk of paying costs should the decision be taken to appeal and overturned.

Still, they voted to refuse the Oakmere Homes application.

The scheme centred on private grazing land off Broadway. The site sits within flood zones two and three and is designated as a green corridor within the local plan.

Oakmere had planned to build 37 affordable homes designed by Falconer Chester Hall on the site, with its outline application hinting at the building of three- to four-bedroom properties with private gardens and driveways.

In evaluating the application, Oldham Council’s planning officers had noted the loss of the green corridor, but decided the benefits of 37 affordable homes outweighed it. They had recommended the project for approval, but their report failed to persuade councillors.

In addition to FCH, the project team includes Emery Planning, Hepworth Acoustics, Thomas Consulting, SCP Transport Planning, Bowland Tree Consultancy, and Trevor Bridge Associates.

To learn more about the scheme search using reference OUT/355495/25 on Oldham Council’s planning portal.