The village with a ‘dangerous’ problem where there are ‘crashes all the time’
Oldham councillors deferred a decision on a housing development in Failsworth after residents raised concerns about road safety, traffic, and loss of green space. The proposed 41-home development by Jones Homes faced over 119 objections and a 200-signature petition, with locals citing frequent crashes and parking issues on Ashton Road. Council officers and the developer argued the traffic impact would be minimal, but residents disputed this. The decision was postponed to allow further consultation.
Oldham councillors have postponed a decision on a controversial housing development in Failsworth after an outpouring of public opposition over road safety and Green Belt concerns.
More than 30 residents packed into Thursday’s planning meeting (January 22) to voice fierce objections to Jones Homes’ proposal for 41 new homes on greenfield land behind Woodhouses village church. The plans include six three-bedroom and 35 four-bedroom properties, with four designated for social housing, plus a water pump station on adjacent Green Belt land.
Villagers delivered impassioned pleas against the development, which has drawn 119 formal objections and a petition with over 200 signatures. They warned the scheme would compound already “horrific” traffic conditions on narrow Ashton Road, describing the village as a “rat run” for Manchester commuters.
“There’s crashes all the time,” resident David told the meeting. “People’s cars have been written off from people smashing into them. It doesn’t make any sense, what they’re doing.”
Krista and Paul Robbie, who live opposite the proposed development entrance, claimed their vehicles had been struck five times in recent years. Another resident reported seeing their parked car “flipped over” by a speeding vehicle.
Council officers maintained the development would create “no significant” traffic impact, with just 33 additional vehicles expected at peak times and only two “severe” accidents recorded on Ashton Road. Their assessment prompted shouts of “rubbish” from the public gallery.
“Their maths just isn’t adding up,” Paul Robbie said. “At peak times, that quadruples the amount of traffic through the village. This is the third big housing development that’s taken place in such a small village.”
Residents also raised concerns about losing Green Belt land, mature trees, and wildlife habitat. Marianne, a 70-year village resident, said: “If you choose to live in a village, it’s because you like the green space. It feels like our lifestyle is in someone else’s hands.”
While councillors indicated they were inclined to reject the proposal, they unanimously voted to defer the decision until March, hoping Jones Homes will consult with residents on potentially using an alternative entrance that would minimize impact on the community.
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