Supplementary Planning Documents

What are Supplementary Planning Documents?

Supplementary Planning Documents (SPDs) expand or add details to policies laid out in Local Plans. These may take the form of design guides, area development briefs, a master plan or issue-based documents.

SPDs do not form part of the statutory development plan and are not subject to public examination. They are however a material consideration when assessing development proposals and determining planning applications.

SPDs cover the whole of Oldham except that part which falls within the Peak District National Park.

Joint Greater Manchester SPDs

The Places for Everyone Plan (PfE Plan) is a joint development plan document of nine Greater Manchester authorities (Bolton, Bury, Manchester, Oldham, Rochdale, Salford, Tameside, Trafford, and Wigan) which came into effect on 21st March 2024.

The following two SPDs have been prepared jointly to provide further guidance on policies within PfE.

Holcroft Moss Planning Obligations

The Holcroft Moss Planning Obligations Joint SPD has been prepared by the nine PfE authorities.

The SPD supplements PfE Policy JP-C8 - Transport Requirements of New Development, in particular clause 17. This clause requires planning applications accompanied by a Transport Assessment to consider air quality impacts on Holcroft Moss, which is within the Manchester Mosses Special Area of Conservation (SAC), to ensure new development does not have an adverse impact on its protected habitats and species.

The Adoption Statement can be viewed below, and the SPD and Consultation Statement can be viewed via the link below.

South Pennine Moors Special Area of Conservation (SAC) / Special Protection Areas (SPAs)

The South Pennine Moors Special Area of Conservation (SAC) / Special Protection Areas (SPAs) SPD is applicable to three of the PfE Plan authorities - Oldham (not including the area covered by the Peak District National Park), Rochdale and Tameside and has been prepared jointly by these three authorities.

The SPD provides further guidance on the implementation of PfE Policy JP-G5 - Uplands, in particular parts a and b of clause 7. The policy seeks to ensure that new development does not have an adverse impact on protected habitats of the South Pennine Moors SAC, the Peak District Moors SPA and the South Pennine Moors Phase 2 SPA from urban edge effects (within 400m of the SAC and SPAs boundaries) or loss of and/or disturbance to functionally linked habitats (within 2.5km of the SAC and SPAs boundaries).

The Adoption Statement can be viewed below, and the SPD and Consultation Statement can be viewed via the link below.

Oldham Town Centre Conservation Area Appraisal and Management Plan (CAAMP)

The Oldham Town Centre Conservation Area Appraisal and Management Plan (CAAMP) Supplementary Planning Document (SPD) was adopted by Cabinet on 19 August 2019.

The CAAMP SPD aims to understand the significance of Oldham Town Centre conservation area and suggest opportunities to enhance its character and appearance.

The appraisal proposes four extensions to the existing Oldham Town Centre conservation area boundary. The extensions have been designated under section 69 of the Planning (Listed Buildings and Conservation Areas) Act 1990 and will be treated as a material planning consideration until formally adopted through the Local Plan review process.

The CAAMP SPD also identifies buildings that could be added to a local list, should we wish to establish one.

The Management Plan has followed on from the appraisal of the conservation area. It sets out policies and recommendations around enhancement and regeneration of the conservation area as well as community engagement.

The document covers Oldham Town Centre Conservation Area, including the proposed extensions.

The CAAMP SPD can also be viewed in local libraries and at Civic Centre, Access Oldham (please see opening times and ask for the document at the main desk).

Vibrant Centres

The Vibrant Centres Supplementary Planning Document was adopted by the Council on 23 July 2012.

The objectives of the Vibrant Centres SPD are to:

  • Provide clear and consistent guidance for promoting and maintaining the vitality and viability of Oldham Town Centre and the borough's other Centres of Chadderton, Failsworth, Hill Stores, Lees, Royton, Shaw and Uppermill.
  • Provide clear and consistent guidance for new proposals and for changes of use for food and drink uses including hot food takeaways.
  • Manage the concentration and clustering of hot food takeaways.
  • Manage the impact on the local environment or the amenity of neighbouring residents and business uses.
  • Ensure all development contributes positively to the visual appearance of the area during opening and non-opening hours.
  • Manage impacts on traffic generation or highway safety as a result of these developments.
  • Contribute to community safety.
  • Provide guidance and advice on the design of shop fronts and business premises.

The document covers the whole Borough except that part which falls within the Peak District National Park.

Former Supplementary Planning Documents

The following documents were prepared to support the Unitary Development Plan. As such, the parent policies for these documents have been superseded. They do however provide useful guidance where appropriate and have been retained for information.