A request for local councils to put forward sites for building in national parks, areas of outstanding natural beauty or green belt has been firmly opposed by Oldham’s Liberal Democrat team, with local Councillor Sam Al-Hamdani branding the policy “a disgrace”.
Lib Dem Councillor Al-Hamdani immediately sought confirmation that the Council had no plans to take up the option – which would have opened large parts of protected land across the whole of Oldham up for development. The Council confirmed that they had no plans to apply for any new developments under this scheme.
Councillor Al-Hamdani said: “I can’t understand how this Government thinks it can possibly be acceptable to abandon national parks and areas of outstanding national beauty.”
Much of Saddleworth falls into the Peak District National Park, and the majority of the remainder is in the green belt, with further green belt sites across the whole of the borough.
“We are fortunate to have some of the most beautiful parts of the country on our doorstep, and this Government simply sees it as a resource to be built on.
“I hope I never see a Government putting forward plans like this again. They should be putting forward support for Councils to build on brownfield sites, instead of this nonsense. Development must not be at the expense of the environment.”