Oldham's February planning decisions: hotel, 150 homes, school extension

Oldham's February planning decisions will reshape parts of the borough with a £20m hotel conversion, nearly 150 new homes, and a school expansion for children with special needs.

The most eye-catching proposal saw Ram Mill in Chadderton transformed into a 180-room hotel, with planning committee chair Cllr Marc Hince calling it a 'brave' move that preserves the 120-year-old building's character while creating new jobs.

Controversy surrounded the Butterworth Lane housing scheme where 149 homes will replace the former South Chadderton and Collective Spirit schools-both closed after scandals-with residents warning the area's already-congested roads can't handle more traffic.

Woodlands Primary School secured permission for a single-storey extension to create more places for children with special educational needs, though several trees will be removed during construction and replaced elsewhere on the site.

The developments reflect Oldham's balancing act between regeneration and community concerns, with affordable housing targets met but traffic worries left unaddressed.