Publication Plan

Oldham Local Plan: Publication Plan

CONSULTATION PERIOD EXTENDED TO FRIDAY 27 MARCH 2026

The Oldham Local Plan: Publication Plan follows on from the Draft Local Plan consultation that was carried out in early 2024.

The Publication Plan contains a vision for Oldham, a set of plan objectives and non-strategic planning policies covering a wide range of topic areas including housing, open land, centres, our economy, climate change, design, transportation and our communities.

Planning affects many aspects of our lives and our environment – from where we live, work, shop and how we spend our leisure time. In producing this Local Plan, we are not just considering land uses, but we are also considering other issues that can be affected by land use, including health, education and community safety.

This document is called the ‘Oldham Local Plan: Publication Plan’ (‘Publication Plan’) and is the final draft Local Plan that is consulted on prior to submission of the Local Plan to the Secretary of State for independent examination

Previous consultations

The Publication Plan follows three consultations, previously run by the Council:

Comments received to the Draft Local Plan consultation and the Council’s response can be found in the Draft Local Plan Schedule of Comments and Council’s Response.

A summary of consultations carried out to date and how these have complied with the council's Statement of Community Involvement is set out below in the Consultation Statement.

 

Oldham Local Plan: Publication Plan Documents

The Oldham Local Plan: Publication Plan and its appendices can be viewed below:

 

To inform the Oldham Local Plan: Publication Plan the following documents have also been prepared:

 

In addition to the above, the Council has prepared the following to accompany the consultation:

 

Where to view the Oldham Local Plan: Publication Plan

Oldham Council have a prepared a Statement of Representation Procedure.

The Statement provides details of the consultation, where and how the Oldham Local Plan: Publication can be viewed, and information the procedure for submitting representations.

In addition to the information sat here on the Council’s website, the Oldham Local Plan: Publication Plan and supporting documents can also be viewed on the Council’s consultation portal:–

Hard copies of the Oldham Local Plan: Publication Plan and supporting documents can be found at:

the Borough’s libraries; and the

Oldham Council Customer Service Centre, Spindles Shopping Centre, Oldham, OL1 1HD

 

How to comment on the Oldham Local Plan: Publication Plan

Representations are invited between Wednesday 4 February 2026 to 11.59pm on Friday 27 March 2026. No representations will be considered after this time / date.

Representations can be made by:

Preferably completing the online representation form at The Big Oldham Convo Publication Plan survey

Alternatively, by downloading the representation form below

and

  • emailing it to spi.consultations@oldham.gov.uk; or
  • posting to: Strategic Planning and Information, Oldham Council, First Floor Reception, Spindles Shopping Centre, Oldham, OL1 1LA

Guidance on what makes a suitable representation can be found on the Representation Form Guidance Notes 

Representations at this stage in the plan-making process must focus on:

  • whether the Plan has met the necessary legal and procedural requirements; and
  • whether the Plan meets the four tests of soundness set out in national planning policy, which are that it:
    • has been positively prepared;
    • is justified;
    • is effective; and
    • is consistent with national policy.

The Council has also prepared a set of Frequently Asked Questions which provides further information.

 

Appointments

If you would like to discuss the Oldham Local Plan: Publication Plan or ask any questions before making your representation, you can book a telephone appointment with a planning officer, or in-person at the Council’s Spindles Shopping Centre offices.

To book an appointment please email spi.consultations@oldham.gov.uk or call 0161 770 4105.

 

Closing date for comments

Representations on the Oldham Local Plan: Publication Plan, and/or its supporting documents, must be received by:

  • 11:59pm, Friday 27 March 2026

Representations received after this time / date will not be considered.

 

Evidence

Planning policies need to be justified by evidence. This evidence has informed the content of the Oldham Local Plan: Publication Plan.

A list of all evidence prepared to inform the Oldham Local Plan can be found in the Document List 

Evidence prepared by, or on behalf of the Council, to inform preparation of the Oldham Local Plan can be found on the Evidence page.

The Council has prepared Topic Papers on the key themes below and which reflect the main chapters in the Oldham Local Plan: Publication Plan. These provide a summary of:

  • current key guidance, programmes and strategies
  • relevant evidence; and
  • how the policies have been formed.

Topic Papers are available on:

A Setting the Scene Topic Paper has also been prepared. This Topic Paper sets out the context for the Oldham Local Plan: Publication Plan, its purpose, and how it relates to current and changing national planning policy and the Places for Everyone Joint Development Plan Document. 

 

What Happens Next

Following the end of the period for making representations, Oldham Council intends to submit the Oldham Local Plan: Publication Plan to the Secretary of State for Housing, Communities and Local Government, so that it can be assessed through an Examination in Public by an appointed Planning Inspector(s).

It will be the role of the Independent Planning Inspector(s) to examine whether the Plan meets the tests of soundness in the National Planning Policy Framework and all the relevant legislative requirements.

 

How your comments will be held

Please note all comments will be held by the Council and will be available to view publicly.

Comments cannot be treated as confidential.

Your personal information, such as your postal and e-mail address, will not be published, but your name and organisation (if relevant) will.

All representations received within the representation period will be submitted electronically to the Secretary of State for consideration by the Planning Inspector(s) as part of the Examination in Public. Comments, name and organisation will be published.

Details of the Council’s core data protection and commitments are set out in the Oldham Council Privacy Notice and service privacy notice for Strategic Planning and Information.

 

How to participate in the Examination

When submitting your response, you must confirm on the Oldham Local Plan: Publication Representation Form (add link) whether you wish to participate in the Examination in Public and whether you wish to be notified of any of the following:

  • Submission of the Oldham Local Plan: Publication Plan for independent examination.
  • Publication of the Inspector’s Report on the Examination of the Oldham Local Plan: Publication Plan.
  • The Adoption of the Oldham Local Plan.

 

 

Join the planning policy mailing list

If you would like to be kept up to date on developments with the Local Plan you can join the Local Plan Mailing List.

For more details visit the planning policy consultation page: