More than 100 new homes approved for Chadderton

More than 100 new houses to be built in Chadderton could ‘help people get on the property ladder’, developers say.

The 101 ‘shared ownership’ homes will be built on Foxdenton Farm after plans were approved by Oldham Council on Wednesday, March 26. 

Developers Stonebond Properties and FO Developments LLP will construct a ‘new neighbourhood’ off Foxdenton Lane, which will include twenty two-bed, 52 three-bed and 29 four-bed properties, each with a private garden and parking spaces. Once built, the properties will be sold and managed by Great Places Housing Group on a shared ownership basis. 

Jake Crompton, who represented the developers at a planning meeting on Wednesday night, claimed shared ownership was the ‘next best thing to Help to Buy’, which is no longer in use. 

“Effectively you can purchase a percentage of the home upfront and staircase over the years to 100 pc ownership, at which point they would own the house in perpetuity. Typically they would start at 35 percent,” he explained. 

Councillors came out in support of the development, unanimously approving the application. 

Coun Josh Charters said: “We need more affordable homes. We say that every time we meet. We need more affordable homes in suitable places. Shared ownership housing is really important for helping people get on the property ladder.” 

The developers pledged to contribute a total of £150k towards education in Oldham. Half of that contribution will be paid out once 50pc of the homes are occupied, with the remaining £75k to be added once 75 pc of the homes are occupied. 

The developers will also pay £133,528 towards the last phase of the council’s ‘Linear Park’, a new green space currently being built in the town centre. With the funding secured through the development scheme, the park could be completed before the end of 2025, according to Mr Crompton.