NEWS Failsworth Centre plans passed 08/06/08 .................................................................................................................................

Oldham's planning committee has approved the  application for 150 apartments and retail units as part of the district centre regeneration scheme. Local councillors have been working for years with the regeneration officers and the developer to ensure the scheme would cover some of the cost of a new state-of-the-art community centre and ensured this had been included as a condition of this, and previous, planning permissions. Artists impression of proposed development Jim McMahon said "Clearly planning approval is important but it does not mean this is a done deal. We will work hard to ensure this becomes a reality but for it to succeed it will require all parties working together and the political will and support from the new Lib Dem administration in Oldham. In addition whilst it has been included as a planning condition that the community centre must be provided, we will work to ensure there is NO break in service or significant disruption to users".

NEWS Leading fight against sports hall extension 08/06/08 .................................................................................................................................

Local Labour councillors have stepped in to stop the expansion of the sports hall at Kaskenmoor School grounds following years of anti-social behaviour attracted by the facility. If approved the application would see the current sports hall doubled in size with a design resembling an aeroplane hanger. Fears that this increased facility would increase levels of anti-social behaviour and crime on the site lead a local councillor to object following years of poor management from the private operator of facility. In objecting Jim McMahon said " The current building, and the proposed extension resembled that of an aeroplane hanger and is visually damaging to what is currently an open space used by the community and surrounded to two sides by residential properties. The scale and mass of the proposed extension will have a negative impact on neighbouring properties. Above: Sports Hall at Kaskenmoor In cases like this I will always lean towards the greater good and community benefit from the facility. However in this case I am clear that this facility is used mainly by people from outside Failsworth and Hollinwood and the negative impact on the neighbourhood is not outweighed by the advantages of the increased facility." You can read the full objection here Join the campaign: Firstly, view the planning application details, including drawings before objecting. Objections are better received if they are well researched and relate directly to the application. You can do this online by visiting the planning website at; http://planning.oldham.gov.uk/planning/acolnetcgi.gov and typing in the application number, which is PA/055084/08

NEWS Common sense prevails on traffic calming 13/06/08 .................................................................................................................................

Almost 18 months since the original consultation on traffic calming measures on Lord Lane, Brierley Avenue and Woodhouses areas, a decision has finally been reached by council bosses. The original proposals suggested creating a one way system at Green Lane near Woodhouses and covering Alder Road, Lord Lane and Newton Road with speed humps to slow down traffic. Above: Medlock Road/Green Lane proposed for one way system After strong representation from councillors, residents and other local campaigners the council have now considered more acceptable proposals. In Woodhouses vehicle activated signs will be installed on Failsworth Road to warn drivers of their speed to compliment existing calming measures. On Alder Road and Lord Lane proposals for speed humps have been completely scrapped and common sense has prevailed with consideration being given to speed cameras and vehicle activated speed signs. Traffic calming on Hibbert Cresent and Brierley Avenue were generally supported by the public consultation and are now almost complete. This will make the area around Failsworth School safer for young children. Although we think this is good news - we will continue to monitor the situation and keep residents informed. Residents will receive a letter from the consultants WSP who are working on behalf of the council within the next week to confirm this course of action.

.............................................................................................................................. NEWS Woodhouses Development Refused 25/07/07

A planning application to demolish a bungalow and replace it with four townhouses on Medlock Road has been refused planning permission after the Woodhouses Village Association, Campaign to Protect Rural England and local councillors battled to convince committee members that the development would harm the village. Speaking after the committee Councillor McMahon said "we want to send a clear message out that we value the character of Woodhouses and Failsworth and look dimly on attempts to demolish good homes to cram more properties on the plot. This development was not appropriate and added nothing to the village, or it's location backing on to the Greenbelt".

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NEWS Failsworth Carnival raises £10,000 23/07/07

Above: Fun at the Fair at Failsworth Carnival with sponsors Northern Counties Housing Association.

Failsworth Carnival has once again risen to the challenge and fundraised over £10,000.

The event was damped slightly by rain on Saturday but improved on Sunday to create a fantastic family event.

Carnival sponsors Northern Counties Housing Association were on hand to help present Stars in Your Eyes competition winners with their cash prizes and certificates.

Councillor Jim McMahon said "the carnival is a wonderful Failsworth tradition which holds an important place in our town today. Not only is a great family event, but it raises money for local groups".

The Failsworth Carnival committee are always looking for new volunteers to help with this and other fundraising events.

The deadline for applying for a grant from the carnival is the 1st November. To download a form simply go to http://www.carnival.failsworth.info

Oldham’s Labour Group has welcomed government approval of the TIF bid which will see over £2billion of investment into Greater Manchester’s public transport system.

The group when in control of Oldham Council fought tirelessly to ensure the town centre line was included into the bid to act as a regeneration catalyst in the borough.

Councillor David Hibbert, Shadow Cabinet Member for Regeneration said: “Regenerating the borough is key objective of this bid. Consequently, the Labour Group has asked Oldham officers to carry out an Economic Impact Analysis in order to understand the full implications that any congestion charge could have. We also need to assess the impact of other associated transport improvements on the borough as a whole and on those residents and companies within the proposed congestion zone. Only when we have all of relevant information to hand can we reach a properly considered conclusion”.