Mayor’s development plans for Oldham must be led by councillors not Manchester planning bosses

Liberal Democrat Shaw Councillor and Leader of the Opposition Howard Sykes MBE has warned that development plans spearheaded by Manchester Mayor Andy Burnham must be led by local councillors, not by planning bosses in Burnham’s office.

The plans for a new ‘Mayoral Development Corporation’ (MDC) for Oldham has been touted by the Labour Mayor as a way to ‘turbocharge’ a transformation in Oldham.

Councillor Sykes said, “It’s vital that these plans are genuinely locally led.  So far, I am seeing all the typical warning signs of a rushed project with no genuine attempt at bringing local councillors into the process.  Just a frantic rush to the press to promise a panacea.  These are the same people who brought us the so-called Places for Everyone Plan.”

Under his powers as Greater Manchester Mayor, Mr Burnham can create MDCs in the region, aimed at driving economic growth.  The Oldham scheme, which promises a £70m masterplan to transform Boundary Park stadium into a multi-sports centre, and 2,000 new homes in the town centre, is set to be approved in principle by Burnham’s Cabinet tomorrow (30/01). 

Sykes said, “This decision will come with opportunities as well as downsides.  But one thing is always true.  To make a success of any investment into the local economy, you need to have the broadest possible local support.

“No political group has a majority on Oldham Council, yet this decision is being pushed through as though Greater Manchester is a one-party state.  I think that is short sighted.  It’s an approach that risks long-term failure but is typical of Labour and its coalition Independent partners.”