Royton North Labour are dismayed and alarmed to see that Royton North Conservative Councillors voted to remove the hard won protection of greenbelt land in Royton North at Oldham Council on the 15th March 2023. The final version of the plan removed the land at Thornham Old Road and Hanging Chadder by proposing the development of 2,000 new homes in Oldham Town centre.

Councillor Phythian says “I fought hard to remove land off Thornham Old Road and at Hanging Chadder from the Places for Everyone plan. I was staggered when Oldham Conservatives voted to scrap the Places for Everyone plan. Let me make it clear, if any new or different plan was to be considered, it would mean that every site would be at risk of development, and we strongly oppose the Tory position on this”.

Mick Harwood, a Labour candidate in May’s council elections added “We understand that Oldham Conservatives will play politics with this, but it’s very disappointing that Royton North Tory councillors Arnott and Quigg voted for and are endorsing a position that would play Russian Roulette with the greenbelt in Royton”.

Clint Phythian, Mick Harwood and Stephanie Shuttleworth are standing for Labour in Royton North on May 4th and are united in a pledge to fight against any threat to our greenbelt in Royton North.