Firm and landlord in dispute over future of site

An international firm is in a dispute with its landlord over the use of an Oldham mill its owners claim is an ‘eyesore’.

The disagreement came to light after plans for 26 homes were put forward for Wall Hill Mill, off Wall Hill Road in Dobcross. The plans would see the buildings demolished.

The Saddleworth site sits in the greenbelt, but is classed as previously developed land due to the presence of the mill. There is a large industrial building at the plot, as well as the remains of the older mill.

Homes in the area have previously been granted planning permission and the land’s owners argue assessments show the land is unviable for employment.

K&M Global Limited, the firm renting the site, opposes the changes. The company says it is thriving, employs 25 people, has a turnover in excess of £5m a year and invested £300,000 in improving the site.

The company is a vehicle dismantler, servicer and recycling business. It has been using the site for the last six years. Alan Chorlton, from Chorlton Planning and defending the firm, said it exportes to Cyrpus and South Africa.

If the homes were built, Mr Chorlton said the firm would struggle to relocate due to a lack of alternative sites and asked councillors to consider voting in favour of ‘jobs not houses’.

Angela Dronsfield, who asked Oldham council for planning permission, said the development would remove an ‘existing eyesore’, stop vehicles blocking a public bridleway, and prevent lorries ‘getting stuck and damaging walls’.

Historically her company Dronsfield Mercedes used to use the plot. She said it was now ‘disappointing to see the site as it is today’. Ms Dronsfield said the development would be a ‘small hamlet development reflecting Saddleworth’s character’ and ‘could become somewhere people are proud to call home’.

An assessment by Stannybrook Property Consultants also suggested a number of employment and business-related scenarios were unviable. This was also supported by an independent survey commissioned by Oldham council and while further evidence suggests the site is deteriorating and needs major investment.

At an Oldham council planning committee meeting on November 11, councillors ultimately decided to refuse the application on the basis it conflicted with local policies and the sustainability of the location. Warnings were given by planning officers about the risk of appeal and costs potentially awarded against the council.

At the same meeting, councillors also approved plans at Waterside Mill in Greenfield in the valley below the Dovestone reservoir. The scheme will include a mix of houses and apartments, but will now be available for anyone to buy after fears a development for just those over 55 could make the scheme unviable.

The lack of affordable housing as part of the development was a key frustration. Councillor Josh Charters said: “It’s a very nice part of Saddleworth in that bit of Greenfield. They are going to be expensive.”

John Tanner from Tanner Bros (Greenfield) Limited made clear it was not looking to make a profit and may explore seeking funding to deliver affordable housing. If the development did become profitable, bosses would look to reinvest in creating a ‘beautiful site’.
He said: “We are not developers. The building we know in discussions with developers and builders will be an extremely expensive conversation but we want that to happen rather than leave the mill in rack and ruin and I think that would be such a shame.”