Huge Prince’s Gate development plan pushed back as council accused of ‘doing too much behind closed doors’
The decision to develop Prince’s Gate in Oldham into 295 flats has been delayed after councillors raised concerns about lack of transparency and insufficient information in reports. The scrutiny committee agreed the decision-making process needed review, with Lib Dem councillor Sam Al-Hamdani criticising the council for operating "behind closed doors." The council leader defended the process, stating private meetings protect financial interests.
Councillors Challenge Prince’s Gate Development Decision Amid Transparency Concerns
Councillors have forced a review of plans to build 295 flats at Prince’s Gate in Oldham after raising concerns about insufficient information and decisions made “behind closed doors.” The brownfield site at Oldham Mumps, currently used as a car park, saw its development future thrown into uncertainty when the town hall’s cabinet decision from last month was called into scrutiny.
Liberal Democrat councillor Sam Al-Hamdani triggered the review, telling colleagues: “We challenged how the cabinet arrived at these decisions. There was insufficient information in the reports to justify the decisions that were made - and the scrutiny committee agreed with us. We also want to know why more of the reports about these decisions is not public. Too much is happening behind closed doors.”
The development forms part of a broader town centre masterplan to deliver 2,000 new homes, but the scrutiny committee unanimously agreed the report needs cabinet reconsideration after questions emerged that “couldn’t be answered” and missing documentation. While expressing his desire to see Prince’s Gate developed, Al-Hamdani insisted on “evidence that this is the best way to do that.”
Council leader Arooj Shah defended the administration’s approach: “This Labour administration is actually getting on with things and delivering developments that will benefit and improve the lives of residents. The Lib Dems just continue to be negative and are trying to throw a spanner in the works and hold things up. We welcome honest and open debate, but every council in the country makes important commercial decisions at meetings when the press and public are excluded. By taking these decisions in private we are protecting the council’s financial position - and ultimately that of all council taxpayers.”
The site has faced previous development setbacks, with plans for an M&S and later a Lidl both falling through after the retailers withdrew from deals with Oldham council.
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