Protecting Our Local Environment

Proposed Approach

In this section we look at policies which address how your local area impacts your quality of life.

We address amenity - this means the quality or character of an area and elements that contribute to the overall enjoyment of an area - and how tackling pollution will benefit health and wellbeing and the environment.

The purpose of these policies is to maintain, protect and enhance living and working conditions to maintain a high standard of amenity.

The Oldham Local Plan is a comprehensive framework designed to guide the sustainable development of our community, ensuring a balance between growth and the preservation of our unique environment. Within this overarching vision, a set of policies has been drafted to address pressing concerns related to Air Quality, Noise and Vibration, as well as Land Contamination and Quality. These policies serve as our commitment to fostering a healthier, more resilient, and sustainable local environment.

Air Quality, an integral component of our environmental policies, is crucial in maintaining the health and vitality of our community. Poor air quality poses significant health risks making conditions such as asthma and other respiratory diseases worse. Through targeted policies, we aim to limit air pollutants, enhance monitoring mechanisms, and promote sustainable transport alternatives to improve the overall air quality in Oldham.

Noise and Vibration policies within the Oldham Local Plan are tailored to mitigate the adverse effects of excessive noise and vibrations on residents and the environment. Recognising the importance of peaceful and tranquil surroundings for the well-being of our community, these policies aim to set standards, regulate activities, and establish guidelines to minimise noise and vibration disturbances.

Land Contamination and Quality policies underscore our commitment to responsible land use and development. As urban spaces expand, safeguarding against soil and water contamination becomes paramount. These policies include measures to assess, remediate, and prevent land contamination, ensuring the protection of ecosystems, groundwater resources, and the health of our residents.

The policies listed below are designed to support protecting the local environment in Oldham. A brief outline of them is given under each heading.

• Policy LE1 - Noise Pollution and Vibration in New Development
  • Policy LE1, underscores the importance of safeguarding occupants and users from light, noise, and vibration pollution while ensuring the continued operation of established uses in adjacent areas. The policy emphasises the need for developments to adhere to high standards of protection without unreasonably limiting existing activities on neighbouring sites.
• Policy LE2 - Ground Conditions and Contaminated Land
  • Policy LE2, dictates that planning permission for development on potentially contaminated land or areas with a history of industrial activity will only be granted for sensitive end uses if appropriate measures can effectively remediate or mitigate contamination and ground conditions.
• Policy LE3 - Air Quality
  • Policy LE3, outlines the council's commitment to safeguarding and enhancing air quality in the borough, aligning with national air quality objectives. The policy supports developments that avoid significant deterioration of local air quality, especially in designated Air Quality Management Areas (AQMAs) or Clean Air Zones. It prohibits new significant sources of air pollutants and aims to prevent increased exposure to poor air quality, particularly in areas with vulnerable populations.

To read the policies in full, please download the chapter extract which is available in the "downloads" section of this project page.

If, once you have read the policies and supporting information, you wish to comment on the proposed policies, then please use the survey below, to do so.