Natural Environment and Open Land Local Plan Publication stage

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Image of Castleshaw Valley, Oldham

The Council is committed to preserving and enhancing the unique natural landscapes that define our community.


These policies, ranging from consideration for the Peak District National Park to Oldham's Green Belt and Protecting Dark Skies and Tranquillity, underpin our dedication to balancing development with the preservation of our natural environment.


The policies listed below are designed to support the natural environment and open land in Oldham. A summary of them is given under each heading.


  • Policy OL1: Consideration for the Peak District National Park:
    • This policy seeks to ensure that development within Oldham’s planning boundary does not conflict with the purposes of the Peak District National Park (PDNP). It also encourages opportunities to further the purposes of the PDNP.


  • Policy OL2: Oldham's Green Belt:
    • Policy OL2 sets out more policy detail on some types of development that are considered to be appropriate within the Green Belt such as agricultural buildings, facilities such as outdoor sports and recreation and stables.


  • Policy OL3: Extensions and Alterations to Existing Buildings within the Green Belt:
    • This policy provides guidelines for extensions and alterations to existing buildings within the Green Belt to ensure that extensions /and/or alterations are ‘disproportionate’ to the size of the original building.


  • Policy OL4: Local Green Spaces:
    • This policy identifies designated Local Green Spaces—areas of local significance. The policy sets out what type of development within them could be granted planning permission and is considered to be broadly consistent with Green Belt.


  • Policy OL5: Protecting Dark Skies and Tranquillity:

    • This policy seeks to protect dark skies and avoid light pollution. The policy identifies the darkest parts of the borough where dark sky friendly lighting will be used. Elsewhere good lighting management is expected.


To read the policies in full, please download the Oldham Local Plan: Publication Plan which is available to view here on the Council’s website.


Image of Castleshaw Valley, Oldham

The Council is committed to preserving and enhancing the unique natural landscapes that define our community.


These policies, ranging from consideration for the Peak District National Park to Oldham's Green Belt and Protecting Dark Skies and Tranquillity, underpin our dedication to balancing development with the preservation of our natural environment.


The policies listed below are designed to support the natural environment and open land in Oldham. A summary of them is given under each heading.


  • Policy OL1: Consideration for the Peak District National Park:
    • This policy seeks to ensure that development within Oldham’s planning boundary does not conflict with the purposes of the Peak District National Park (PDNP). It also encourages opportunities to further the purposes of the PDNP.


  • Policy OL2: Oldham's Green Belt:
    • Policy OL2 sets out more policy detail on some types of development that are considered to be appropriate within the Green Belt such as agricultural buildings, facilities such as outdoor sports and recreation and stables.


  • Policy OL3: Extensions and Alterations to Existing Buildings within the Green Belt:
    • This policy provides guidelines for extensions and alterations to existing buildings within the Green Belt to ensure that extensions /and/or alterations are ‘disproportionate’ to the size of the original building.


  • Policy OL4: Local Green Spaces:
    • This policy identifies designated Local Green Spaces—areas of local significance. The policy sets out what type of development within them could be granted planning permission and is considered to be broadly consistent with Green Belt.


  • Policy OL5: Protecting Dark Skies and Tranquillity:

    • This policy seeks to protect dark skies and avoid light pollution. The policy identifies the darkest parts of the borough where dark sky friendly lighting will be used. Elsewhere good lighting management is expected.


To read the policies in full, please download the Oldham Local Plan: Publication Plan which is available to view here on the Council’s website.


Page last updated: 09 Feb 2026, 08:37 PM