Greater Manchester town to build 11,500 new homes as part of controversial housing plan

More than 11,500 new homes are due to be built in Oldham by 2037 as part of a hotly debated Greater Manchester housing plan. After a decade of discussions, the council voted to accept the ‘Places for Everyone’ (PfE) plan at a full council meeting on Wednesday March 13.

The planning framework aims to help local authorities meet national housing targets and give councils more say over where and how projects are built. But the scheme sparked a backlash from councillors worried about construction on greenbelt land and missing infrastructure to support the house-building boom.

Elaine Taylor, deputy leader in charge of housing and licensing, told the LDRS: “The adoption of the Places for Everyone plan marks an important stage in the next steps to build much-needed quality, affordable homes the borough desperately needs.

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"This brownfield first plan secures land allocations in the borough for the next 15 years. We’re creating jobs, vibrant neighbourhoods and protecting our environment and green spaces so that our town and future generations can get on and do well.”

She added: “Our focus is on building the right type of homes to help people get their first foot on the property ladder, downsize in older age or buy their next family home.”

Oldham became the fifth place to accept the plan, which is being considered in nine boroughs across Greater Manchester. Stockport left the PfE scheme, previously known as the Greater Manchester Spatial Framework, in 2020 over similar greenbelt concerns.

At the meeting, Lib Dem councillors called for Oldham to do the same but the suggestion was rejected. Coun Howard Sykes, leader of the Lib Dems, believed PfE