The Oldham Council Planning Committee met on Wednesday 8 July 2026 to consider several planning applications. The committee granted permission for the conversion of a building in Chadderton into a children's day nursery, and for the erection of a new household and business storage facility in Oldham. However, a proposal to convert commercial units on Ripponden Road into offices and a House in Multiple Occupation (HMO) was refused, as was an application to change the use of a property on Haigh Lane to an HMO.

St Paul's Church, Rochdale Road, Shaw

The committee considered two applications relating to St Paul's Church in Shaw: a full planning application (FUL/349488/22) and a listed building consent application (LBC/349489/22). Both applications sought permission for the partial rebuild of the chapel walls, the formation of a salvaged stone storage enclosure, the restoration of the graveyard and iron railings, the erection of a new permanent gable wall, and internal works.

The proposals were called in for determination due to significant local concern. Objectors raised issues including inadequate access and parking, heritage concerns about the loss of historic fabric, potential residential amenity impacts from late-night activity and floodlighting, and incomplete application documents. There were also concerns about the potential use of the site as a mosque, loss of Christian heritage, and disturbance to the burial ground.

Despite these objections, the council's conservation advisors, Historic England and Growth Lancashire, acknowledged that while the proposals would result in harm to the Grade II listed building, the consolidation and repair of the remaining structure, retention of salvaged materials, and restoration of the graveyard and railings would deliver heritage benefits. Historic England welcomed the submission of a Heritage Impact Assessment and Archaeological Desk-Based Assessment, noting that these provided a comprehensive understanding of the site. Growth Lancashire, however, advised that the harm identified was substantial and that the proposals did not adequately justify this under national planning policy.

The committee ultimately resolved to grant both the full planning permission and the listed building consent. This decision was made after weighing the identified harm against the substantial public benefits of the scheme, which included the repair and partial restoration of a severely damaged listed building, its reuse as a place of worship, and the creation of a publicly accessible 'peace garden'. Conditions were imposed to secure detailed construction, stone reuse, repair work, and archaeological mitigation.

Hill Top Farm, Healds Green, Chadderton

Permission was granted for a change of use of an existing building at Hill Top Farm to a children's day nursery, with new car parking. The proposal involves converting a building previously used for agricultural and industrial storage into a nursery for 50 children. The site is located within the Green Belt, but the proposal was deemed acceptable as it involves the reuse of an existing building and does not increase the built footprint.

Concerns were raised by objectors regarding highway safety, noise and disturbance, and the need for a nursery in this specific location. Supporters highlighted the demand for early years places, the benefits of reusing a building, and the positive impact on local employment.

The council's Environmental Health department raised no objections, subject to conditions relating to noise levels and the number of children permitted outside at any one time. The Highways department also raised no objections, subject to a condition for cycle storage. The proposal was considered to comply with Green Belt policies, design and appearance standards, and residential amenity considerations. Biodiversity net gain would be achieved through habitat enhancements, and conditions were imposed to ensure these measures are implemented and maintained.

45 to 49 Ripponden Road, Oldham

The committee refused permission for the conversion of lower ground and ground floors into Class E (office) use, alterations to existing store frontages, conversion of the first floor into a 5-bed House in Multiple Occupation (HMO), and a new rear access staircase.

The application was called in due to the applicant being a relative of Councillor Karman Ghafoor. While officers recommended approval, the committee voted to refuse the application. The stated reason for refusal was that the proposed HMO would result in an undue concentration of such uses in the area, to the detriment of the established character of the locality, contrary to Policy 11 of the Oldham Local Plan.

74 Haigh Lane, Chadderton

Permission was refused for the change of use from residential (C3) to a 5-bed House in Multiple Occupancy (HMO). Ward members addressed the committee on this application. The decision was unanimous.

Street Bridge Inn, 230 Roman Road, Oldham

The committee granted permission for a first and second-floor extension to the existing building and a three-storey side extension, in addition to a front canopy and alterations to the existing car park to form a motel addition. The proposal also included associated access, parking, and landscaping works.

The application was moved for approval by Councillor Charters and seconded by Councillor Harrison. The decision was made with 7 votes in favour, 1 against, and 1 abstention. Conditions were imposed relating to the provision of car parking areas and the submission of a Construction Environmental Management Plan.

Land bounded by Oldham Road, Brookdale Street and Ridgefield Street, Failsworth

Permission was granted for the erection of 28 dwellings with associated access, parking, and landscaping works on land bounded by Oldham Road, Brookdale Street, and Ridgefield Street in Failsworth. The application was moved for approval by Councillor Harkness and seconded by Councillor Harrison. The decision was made with 5 votes in favour and 4 against.

Land north of Ellen Street, Oldham

The committee unanimously approved the erection of a new household and business storage facility (Use Class B8) and associated access, parking, and landscaping on land north of Ellen Street. The application was moved for approval by Councillor Nasheen and seconded by Councillor Brooks. Conditions were imposed as outlined in the report and additional conditions recommended by the Lead Local Flood Authority.

Appeals Update Report

The committee noted the Appeals Update Report, which provided a list of appeals submitted and decisions taken between 30 March and 19 June 2026. This included several dismissed appeals for various housing and development proposals, and some ongoing appeals.