Frequently Asked Questions Local Plan Publication stage

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Oldham Local Plan – Frequently Asked Questions


We have prepared a document setting out Frequently Asked Questions. Some are shown below but please look at the document for the full list.


What is the in the Plan?

Oldham’s Local Plan will guide development in the borough up to 2039. The main purposes of the Plan are to:

  • Set out the policies through which the Council will manage development coming forward and use to determine planning applications;
  • Identify designations, such as those for the protection of the borough’s environmental and historical assets, our town centres, and employment areas; and
  • Facilitate the development of supporting infrastructure, such as transport, education and utilities.

The Local Plan covers the whole borough except the part which falls within the Peak District National Park.

The Oldham Local Plan will sit alongside the Places for Everyone Joint Plan (PfE) as part of a suite of documents that form the development plan for the borough that also includes the Greater Manchester Joint Waste Development Plan Document (adopted April 2012) and the Greater Manchester Joint Minerals Development Plan Document (adopted April 2013). As well as any neighbourhood plans that may come into force during the lifetime of the Plan.

Together these documents will inform decision-making on planning applications in the borough of Oldham (excluding within the Peak District National Park).


How will the Oldham Local Plan: Publication Plan benefit me and my local area?

The Oldham Local Plan will benefit the local community through its commitment to supporting Oldham Partnerships ‘The Oldham Plan’ and the Council’s Corporate Plan. The Local Plan represents the spatial expression of these plans and is key to delivering an Oldham that can thrive.

The Plan Objectives outline how the Oldham Local Plan will benefit the local area through:

  • Building quality homes to meet local needs and diversify the housing offer;
  • Providing opportunities to learn and gain new skills;
  • Boosting northern competitiveness by providing access to employment opportunities and growing local businesses;
  • Supporting the regeneration of Oldham Town Centre and creating thriving centres;
  • Protecting and enhancing Oldham’s landscapes;
  • Protecting, restoring and enhancing the natural environment;
  • Promoting sustainable development that mitigates and adapts to climate change;
  • Uplifting the health and well-being of our residents and local communities;
  • Improving and valuing a better historic and built environment; and
  • Promoting accessible and sustainable transport choices.


How does this Plan relate to Places for Everyone (PfE)?

Places for Everyone (PfE) sets the strategic policies and direction for the borough. Oldham’s Local Plan interprets these at a more detailed local level to reflect our priorities and support delivery of the Council’s regeneration ambitions and Building a Better Oldham. The Oldham Local Plan sits alongside and supports PfE and must be read together with PfE when planning decisions are made.

Places for Everyone:

  • Provides the strategic planning framework sitting above the Oldham Local Plan;
  • Sets out specific requirements to be taken forward through the Oldham Local Plan in relation to housing, offices, and industry and warehousing;
  • Identifies the main areas where growth will be focused as part of its spatial strategy.
  • Identifies the important environmental assets which will be protected and enhanced;
  • Allocates sites for employment and housing outside of the urban area – in Oldham this is JPA2 Stakehill (a cross-boundary allocation with Rochdale), JPA10 Beal Valley, JPA11 Bottom Field Farm, JPA12 Broadbent Moss, JPA13 Chew Brook Vale, JPA14 Cowlishaw, JPA15 Land south of Coal Pit Lane and JPA16 South of Rosary Road;
  • Supports the delivery of key infrastructure, such as transport and utilities; and
  • Defines a new Green Belt boundary.


Where can I view the Publication Local Plan documents?

The Oldham Local Plan: Publication Plan documents are available to view on our website at https://www.oldham.gov.uk/info/201233/local_plan_review (please follow tab to Publication Plan) and our consultation portal at The Big Oldham Convo.

If you would rather see paper copies, we have the main Oldham Local Plan: Publication Plan documents available within our libraries and at the Oldham Council Customer Service Centre, Spindles Shopping Centre, Oldham, OL1 1HD (please check opening times).

Please note that paper copies are limited to the following documents:

  • Oldham Local Plan: Publication Plan
  • Oldham Local Plan: Publication Plan Appendices
  • Oldham Local Plan: Policies Map
  • Integrated Assessment (including the Habitats Regulations Assessment and Equalities Impact Assessment) and Appendices
  • Integrated Assessment Non-Technical Summary
  • Integrated Assessment Scoping Report Update 3
  • Statement of Representation Procedure

However, Oldham Council library staff and strategic planning staff will be happy to help direct you to these topic and background papers if you wish to see them.


What are you asking for views on?

This is the plan that Oldham Council intends to submit to the Secretary of State for examination. This is a formal stage of consultation and is used to gather feedback on two specific areas, whether the Plan is ‘sound’ and ‘legally compliant.


How can I take part in the consultation and give you my views?


CONSULTATION PERIOD EXTENDED TO FRIDAY 27 MARCH 2026


The Council is keen to promote the submission of comments electronically and would encourage anyone with access to the internet to make their responses in this way. Comments can be submitted online via the council’s consultation platform.

Oldham’s libraries provide free access to the internet, if you do not have access at home.

Alternatively, comments can be emailed to SPI.Consultations@oldham.gov.uk

Or addressed to: 

Strategic Planning and Information

Oldham Council,

Spindles Shopping Centre,

Oldham,

OL1 1LF

A Comments Form is also available at https://www.oldham.gov.uk/info/201233/local_plan_review (go to Publication Plan tab).  

Comments on the Oldham Local Plan, and / or its supporting documents, must be received by 11.59pm on Friday 27 March 2026.


What happens next?

After the consultation:

  • All representations will be analysed to draw out the main issues raised for the Inspector to review;
  • The Plan will be submitted to the Secretary of State, meaning all documents, evidence, and public comments will be formally passed to the Planning Inspectorate for independent scrutiny;
  • An independent Planning Inspector will examine the Plan, testing whether it meets legal requirements and national policy, and may invite individuals who made representations to attend hearings or provide further information if clarification on their comments is required;
  • The Inspector will decide whether the Plan can be adopted, with or without modifications, issuing a report that may include recommended changes the Council must consider before formally adopting the Plan.


Appointments

If you would like to discuss the Oldham Local Plan: Publication Plan or ask any questions before making your representation, you can book a telephone appointment with a planning officer, or in-person at the Council’s Spindles Shopping Centre offices.

To book an appointment please email spi.consultations@oldham.gov.uk or call 0161 770 4105.


I would like to join / be removed from the Local Plan mailing list – how do I do this?

Oldham Council maintains a database of consultees who wish to be kept informed about the Local Plan. If you wish to be added or removed from the mailing list please visit our consultation webpage or email us at spi@oldham.gov.uk.

Oldham Local Plan – Frequently Asked Questions


We have prepared a document setting out Frequently Asked Questions. Some are shown below but please look at the document for the full list.


What is the in the Plan?

Oldham’s Local Plan will guide development in the borough up to 2039. The main purposes of the Plan are to:

  • Set out the policies through which the Council will manage development coming forward and use to determine planning applications;
  • Identify designations, such as those for the protection of the borough’s environmental and historical assets, our town centres, and employment areas; and
  • Facilitate the development of supporting infrastructure, such as transport, education and utilities.

The Local Plan covers the whole borough except the part which falls within the Peak District National Park.

The Oldham Local Plan will sit alongside the Places for Everyone Joint Plan (PfE) as part of a suite of documents that form the development plan for the borough that also includes the Greater Manchester Joint Waste Development Plan Document (adopted April 2012) and the Greater Manchester Joint Minerals Development Plan Document (adopted April 2013). As well as any neighbourhood plans that may come into force during the lifetime of the Plan.

Together these documents will inform decision-making on planning applications in the borough of Oldham (excluding within the Peak District National Park).


How will the Oldham Local Plan: Publication Plan benefit me and my local area?

The Oldham Local Plan will benefit the local community through its commitment to supporting Oldham Partnerships ‘The Oldham Plan’ and the Council’s Corporate Plan. The Local Plan represents the spatial expression of these plans and is key to delivering an Oldham that can thrive.

The Plan Objectives outline how the Oldham Local Plan will benefit the local area through:

  • Building quality homes to meet local needs and diversify the housing offer;
  • Providing opportunities to learn and gain new skills;
  • Boosting northern competitiveness by providing access to employment opportunities and growing local businesses;
  • Supporting the regeneration of Oldham Town Centre and creating thriving centres;
  • Protecting and enhancing Oldham’s landscapes;
  • Protecting, restoring and enhancing the natural environment;
  • Promoting sustainable development that mitigates and adapts to climate change;
  • Uplifting the health and well-being of our residents and local communities;
  • Improving and valuing a better historic and built environment; and
  • Promoting accessible and sustainable transport choices.


How does this Plan relate to Places for Everyone (PfE)?

Places for Everyone (PfE) sets the strategic policies and direction for the borough. Oldham’s Local Plan interprets these at a more detailed local level to reflect our priorities and support delivery of the Council’s regeneration ambitions and Building a Better Oldham. The Oldham Local Plan sits alongside and supports PfE and must be read together with PfE when planning decisions are made.

Places for Everyone:

  • Provides the strategic planning framework sitting above the Oldham Local Plan;
  • Sets out specific requirements to be taken forward through the Oldham Local Plan in relation to housing, offices, and industry and warehousing;
  • Identifies the main areas where growth will be focused as part of its spatial strategy.
  • Identifies the important environmental assets which will be protected and enhanced;
  • Allocates sites for employment and housing outside of the urban area – in Oldham this is JPA2 Stakehill (a cross-boundary allocation with Rochdale), JPA10 Beal Valley, JPA11 Bottom Field Farm, JPA12 Broadbent Moss, JPA13 Chew Brook Vale, JPA14 Cowlishaw, JPA15 Land south of Coal Pit Lane and JPA16 South of Rosary Road;
  • Supports the delivery of key infrastructure, such as transport and utilities; and
  • Defines a new Green Belt boundary.


Where can I view the Publication Local Plan documents?

The Oldham Local Plan: Publication Plan documents are available to view on our website at https://www.oldham.gov.uk/info/201233/local_plan_review (please follow tab to Publication Plan) and our consultation portal at The Big Oldham Convo.

If you would rather see paper copies, we have the main Oldham Local Plan: Publication Plan documents available within our libraries and at the Oldham Council Customer Service Centre, Spindles Shopping Centre, Oldham, OL1 1HD (please check opening times).

Please note that paper copies are limited to the following documents:

  • Oldham Local Plan: Publication Plan
  • Oldham Local Plan: Publication Plan Appendices
  • Oldham Local Plan: Policies Map
  • Integrated Assessment (including the Habitats Regulations Assessment and Equalities Impact Assessment) and Appendices
  • Integrated Assessment Non-Technical Summary
  • Integrated Assessment Scoping Report Update 3
  • Statement of Representation Procedure

However, Oldham Council library staff and strategic planning staff will be happy to help direct you to these topic and background papers if you wish to see them.


What are you asking for views on?

This is the plan that Oldham Council intends to submit to the Secretary of State for examination. This is a formal stage of consultation and is used to gather feedback on two specific areas, whether the Plan is ‘sound’ and ‘legally compliant.


How can I take part in the consultation and give you my views?


CONSULTATION PERIOD EXTENDED TO FRIDAY 27 MARCH 2026


The Council is keen to promote the submission of comments electronically and would encourage anyone with access to the internet to make their responses in this way. Comments can be submitted online via the council’s consultation platform.

Oldham’s libraries provide free access to the internet, if you do not have access at home.

Alternatively, comments can be emailed to SPI.Consultations@oldham.gov.uk

Or addressed to: 

Strategic Planning and Information

Oldham Council,

Spindles Shopping Centre,

Oldham,

OL1 1LF

A Comments Form is also available at https://www.oldham.gov.uk/info/201233/local_plan_review (go to Publication Plan tab).  

Comments on the Oldham Local Plan, and / or its supporting documents, must be received by 11.59pm on Friday 27 March 2026.


What happens next?

After the consultation:

  • All representations will be analysed to draw out the main issues raised for the Inspector to review;
  • The Plan will be submitted to the Secretary of State, meaning all documents, evidence, and public comments will be formally passed to the Planning Inspectorate for independent scrutiny;
  • An independent Planning Inspector will examine the Plan, testing whether it meets legal requirements and national policy, and may invite individuals who made representations to attend hearings or provide further information if clarification on their comments is required;
  • The Inspector will decide whether the Plan can be adopted, with or without modifications, issuing a report that may include recommended changes the Council must consider before formally adopting the Plan.


Appointments

If you would like to discuss the Oldham Local Plan: Publication Plan or ask any questions before making your representation, you can book a telephone appointment with a planning officer, or in-person at the Council’s Spindles Shopping Centre offices.

To book an appointment please email spi.consultations@oldham.gov.uk or call 0161 770 4105.


I would like to join / be removed from the Local Plan mailing list – how do I do this?

Oldham Council maintains a database of consultees who wish to be kept informed about the Local Plan. If you wish to be added or removed from the mailing list please visit our consultation webpage or email us at spi@oldham.gov.uk.

Page last updated: 10 Feb 2026, 04:52 PM