Oldham's Historic Environment Local Plan Publication stage

Oldham with its hugely significant industrial past is rich in history and heritage with both designated and non-designated assets. In particular, the clusters of mills contributing to Oldham's landscape character, give the borough an exceptionally strong identity and sense of place.

The Local Plan sets out a positive strategy for heritage. Two areas that the Local Plan has focussed on is a strategy for the boroughs non-designated mills and an appraisal and management plan to enhance Oldham Town Centre Conservation Area with the aim of removing the conservation area from the ‘at risk’ register.

The policies listed below are designed to support Oldham's historic environment. A summary of them is given under each heading.

• Policy HE1 – The Historic Environment:
  • This policy outlines how the Council will work with partners to conserve and enhance the historic environment.

• Policy HE2: Securing the Preservation and Enhancement of Oldham's Heritage Assets:
  • This policy outlines support to sustain and enhance heritage assets. The policy sets out detail on how proposals affecting a heritage assets will be determined, in particular taking into account the level of harm to the significance of the asset.

• Policy HE3: Development Proposals Affecting Conservation Areas:
  • This policy provides policy on proposals affecting a conservation area and set out criteria that development should meet. It also includes criteria on shopfronts, retail and signage within conservation areas.

• Policy HE4: Oldham's Mills:
  • This policy focusses on non-designated mills and clusters of mills and sets out policy for ensuring that development proposals affecting mills are assessed in line with their level of significance, as outlined in the policy.

• Policy HE5: Canals:
  • This policy recognises the importance of the Huddersfield Narrow Canal and the Rochdale Canal as heritage assets. The policy ensures that development will not affect the restoration, conservation and enhancement of the waterway’s heritage and built environment.

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.