Published: Thursday, 12th November 2026
Residents in Saddleworth will have the opportunity to vote on the future of planning in their area when a referendum takes place on Thursday 10 December 2026.
The referendum will ask residents whether they want Oldham Council and the Peak District National Park Authority to use the Saddleworth Neighbourhood Plan to help decide planning applications in the area.
The plan sets out local planning policies for Saddleworth and, if approved, will become part of the area’s statutory Development Plan, helping to guide decisions on future planning applications.
Residents will be asked the following question:
“Do you want Oldham Council and the Peak District National Park Authority to use the Neighbourhood Plan for Saddleworth to help it decide planning applications in the neighbourhood area?”
To vote, residents must be registered to vote in local government elections and have a qualifying address within the Saddleworth Neighbourhood Area.
The deadline to register to vote is Tuesday 24 November 2026.
Residents who wish to vote by post, proxy or who need a Voter Authority Certificate should also be aware of the following deadlines:
- Wednesday 25 November, 5pm: Deadline for new postal vote applications and changes to existing postal voting arrangements.
- Wednesday 2 December, 5pm: Deadline for new proxy vote applications and applications for a free Voter Authority Certificate.
- Thursday 10 December, 5pm: Deadline for emergency proxy vote applications, where eligible.
Residents can read the Saddleworth Neighbourhood Plan and supporting referendum documents online at: https://www.oldham.gov.uk/info/201235/neighbourhood_planning/2936/saddleworth_neighbourhood_plan
Paper copies are also available to view at Lees, Uppermill, Delph and Greenfield libraries, Oldham Council’s reception in Spindles and, by prior arrangement, the Peak District National Park Authority’s office in Bakewell.
Following the referendum, the result will be published on Oldham Council’s website.
If more than half of those who vote support the plan, it will be adopted as part of the Development Plan for the area and used to help determine planning applications.
For further information, residents can contact the council’s Strategic Planning and Information Team on 0161 770 4105 or email spi.consultations@oldham.gov.uk.