OLDHAM Council has begun to develop its Local Plan by launching the first stage consultation which ended on 21st August 2017.
The first stage consultation is intended to gather views on what the Local Plan should consider. At this stage it does not consider sites and the assumptions for employment and housing have not been published.
It is unavoidable not to conclude that the development of the Greater Manchester Spatial Framework (GMSF) has led to mistrust and anxiety about the future direction of development in Oldham. While the Local Plan may be developed outside of this process there will be an interrelationship, and should the wider plan not be developed in a single exercise the ten Local Plans could potentially form the GMSF.
I therefore asked that my relevant comments in relation to the GMSF are considered as part of this submission. You can read my submission on the GMSF here
While there would have been sense in waiting for the outcome of the GMSF I acknowledge that the planning authority is exposed to challenge without a Local Plan being in place, and it is important to give protection to local communities against inappropriate development.
The consultation asked two questions and my response to each of them are;
What should it contain and what are the key planning issues for Oldham?
- The development of a Brownfield first policy underpinned by an accurate and up to date Brownfield register
- To identify additional public open space and amenity land which adds to the character of local neighbourhood and afford these greater protection from inappropriate development
- To address inappropriate town centre development and uses through an Article 4 directive as agreed by the council in 2013, and that this be expanded to district centres
- To address the community impact of Houses of Multiple Occupation (HMOs) and bring forward a policy to restrict them, particularly in established residential areas
- To address community concern about the reuse of former care homes, hostels and other purpose built residential accommodation and to afford these greater protection from inappropriate development
- To address the poor quality design and finish of residential and commercial development
- To assess and promote the preservation and future development of important buildings of heritage value including an assessment of the remaining mills
What, in broad terms, should be the main aims of the Local Plan?
- To develop a community lead development plan for the future of the borough
- To promote high quality sustainable development
- To support the long term development of town and district centres
- To commit to the protection of the Greenbelt
- To assist in the regeneration of the borough with the identification of brownfield land
- To promote high quality sustainable strategic and neighbourhood transport links
- To boost job creation and retention in appropriate locations
- To respect and enhance the heritage assets of the borough
- To support the environmental and recreational benefits of key off road routes including disused railway lines, canals, country parks and liner parks
- To ensure that development can be supported by infrastructure including but not limited to sewage, drainage, power and highways
- To ensure that development is supported by essential public services including but not limited to schools, health centres and emergency services.
Finally, I suggested in my submission to the GMSF that the development of Neighbourhood Plans would enable local people to co-produce a development plan for their area.
I therefore continue to urge the council to consider the development of Neighbourhood Plans across the borough.
Jim McMahon OBE MP 