The headteacher of an Oldham school has responded after parking near the site was described as a 'nightmare' during a council meeting.
At an Oldham council planning committee, councillors considered outline plans for up to 37 affordable homes to be built on land at the back of 69 Broadway in Royton. The actual number of homes could be fewer once plans are fully developed.
The land is currently a green space but would be turned into three and four bedroom houses with driveways and private gardens. Part of the land is at some risk of flooding, but further investigations found housing is possible in the area.
Concerns over parking and safety
Councillors ultimately decided to reject the plans, largely on highways safety grounds after issues were raised about parking linked to The Oldham Academy North school nearby. Some abstained.
At the meeting, Royton South councillor Maggie Hurley said: "This stretch of road is notorious," adding: "Park on the pavement all the way up both sides of Broadway. That restricts people's vision."
She said: "Shouldn't we be fixing something before we start adding to the problem? Because that school causes a nightmare. I drive down there every single day. They are parked on the pavement. If you are trying to come out, you cannot see because there's cars parked there."
Officers' assessment and councillor responses
Officers clarified the council has to assess applications as they are submitted. Their assessment of the road network suggested the 37 homes would have a negligible impact with 'incredibly low' traffic movement, and they could not fix any issues related to the school within the scope of the planning application.
Coun Hurley later called Broadway a 'dangerous road', adding: "I am not being unreasonable. I am trying to save someone's life before something dangerous happens. These people cannot see to drive onto Broadway because of lack of visibility."
Data from 2020 to 2025 shows several accidents have occurred on Broadway, but none within 300m of the proposed access point.
Reform councillor Andy Brooks said he felt uneasy about the plans, adding: "You are asking us to get on a plane and we'll do the safety checks after we've taken off here. We should be seeing the safety measures that's going to be in place before we can grant something like this at least."
Headteacher's response
In response to the concerns raised about parking, headteacher Natalie Kennerley said: "We recognise the challenges that school pick-up and drop-off can create on local roads, and we regularly remind our families of the importance of parking safely and considerately. We are happy to work with the relevant authorities to support efforts to address these challenges."
