A new consultation on the housing proposed for the Knowls Lane site in Grotton, Springhead and Lees, is not taking place publicly, with the developer citing coronavirus restrictions as the reason – despite the restrictions no longer being in force.
A letter has been sent out to local residents from the developer, giving them two weeks to respond to the proposed designs. As this is not part of the formal planning process, this means that they do not have to adhere to the formal consultation periods that are required when planning permission is brought.
Local Liberal Democrat Councillor Mark Kenyon said: “Our immediate response on getting a copy of this letter was ‘What restrictions?’ There was a public consultation this weekend on the proposals for Northern Roots which took place in the centre of Oldham.
“We wrote to the developer straight away, to ask what restrictions would stop them holding an event, and suggesting that it would be perfectly possible to hold one – a safe event is perfectly possible. However, they haven’t responded to us.”
At this stage of the planning process, the consultation is about the layout of the site, and the look and size of the houses that are being developed. Previous planning decisions – opposed throughout by the local Liberal Democrat councillors – forced through the proposal, meaning that comments on the overall development and the loss of the Ancient Woodland will not form part of this consultation.
Fellow councillor Sam Al-Hamdani added: “It is incredibly frustrating that this consultation is being done without coming to meet the people who are being affected. Yet again, as in so many cases, a developer is failing to talk to the people that are being affected by their proposals.
“Our response to the new local plan for Oldham pushed repeatedly for better consultation, and we are putting forward a motion to the Council this week to adopt a better planning process for Oldham.
“Planning needs to be about honest dialogue, not closed decisions. Sadly, this looks like another developer who doesn’t want that dialogue.”