A new housing estate of more than 40 affordable homes has been given the green light to be built in Oldham.
Great Places Housing Group had submitted proposals to the local authority to construct 46 houses on land at Vaughan Street in Royton.
The empty site previously housed the buildings of the former Our Lady’s School which has since been demolished after merging with John Henry Newman Roman Catholic College.
Under the plans there would be four four-bedroom homes, 30 three-bedroom houses and 12 two bedroom properties, all of which would be for shared ownership.
The proposed access would be from Broadway through the existing car park to the park.
There had been seven letters of objection to the plans, raising concerns over access, congestion, the loss of a public car park and loss of trees.
However outlining officers’ recommendation of approval, planning officer Emma Breheny said: “The site is currently vacant and has 2.4 meter high perimeter fencing. The applicant proposes to erect 46 dwellings with access off Broadway via the existing car park which serves the address and public park.
“Improvements are proposed to the access onto Broadway as part of the proposed development.”
Ms Breheny said Great Places would provide 16 car parking spaces, which would be fewer than the 24 spaces currently on the site, but would create a more ‘formal’ car park.
She added the application had been independently assessed for its viability, and would not be offering any Section 106 contributions towards the provision of public open space or play equipment.
“However the applicant is offering £55,090 pounds towards biodiversity net gain and off-site tree replacement,” Ms Breheny told councillors.
“The site is offering 100 per cent affordable housing and offers a not insignificant contribution of housing towards the council’s five year housing land supply.”
Speaking on behalf of Great Places, Victoria Owen said that it would reuse a ‘derelict brownfield site’, improve the street scene and bring job opportunities during the construction phase.
She added: “The level of affordable housing need in Oldham is acute.”
Councillors voted to unanimously approve the proposals at a meeting at the Civic Centre.
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