There is an plan being considered by Oldham Council for a developer to build 120 luxury homes and 100 holiday chalets on Green Belt stretching two thirds of a mile along the boundary of the National Park, adjacent to Dovestones reservoir car park. If this goes ahead the view from the historicly important crags of Wimberry, Dovestones and all the crags of Chew valley, together with the Pennine Way and the surrounding hills will be blighted by a huge housing estate. Coupled with this the environmental impact will be catastrophic. Whilst Greater Manchester are committed to building thousands of affordable homes it is difficult to see how the development of ‘aspirational’ and ‘recreational’ homes will address this issue. Most of the stated aims of GMSF (Greater Manchester Spatial Framework) and requirements for plans within Green Belt will be breached by this development. Moreover, it is not fair consultation in the fact that it is the only plan being put forward in the Saddleworth district, why have all others been rejected. To add insult to injury the developer (Hollowoaks Ltd, Isle of Man) is registered offshore and will therefore not be contributing through taxation to funding of the upkeep of the National Park let alone the burden on the local infrastructure.
The local Residents Association and DCVAG (Dovestones & Chew Valley Action Group) have been petitioning in the Saddleworth area, and at Dovestones. Hundreds of residents, climbers and hill walkers have signed up and objected to the proposed development. Objections to the initial consultation have to be submitted by 16 January but if our objections fail there will be further consultation in the summer to more detailed planning proposals.
May I ask that the CC as a body join the hundreds of climbers, hill walkers and visitors to Dovestones in objecting to this blight on our National Park. Objections can be sent to spi@oldham.gov.uk
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