The following planning applications relate to some of the biggest development stories in Oldham over the past fortnight.

A former bank in Shaw is set to be converted into apartments less than three years after plans to turn it into a bar and flats were given the green light.

The former Royal Bank of Scotland branch on Rochdale Road was set to be turned into a bar and house in multiple occupation (HMO) after plans were approved in 2021.

The Oldham Times: The former Royal Bank of Scotland branchThe former Royal Bank of Scotland branch (Image: Google Maps)

The property was then put up for sale on Rightmove in 2022 and was purchased, which saw a new planning application to turn it into seven one-bedroom flats submitted.

These plans have now been approved, meaning the former bank will become entirely residential.

Get the latest news delivered straight to your inbox by signing up to The Oldham Times’ morning and evening newsletters as well as our breaking news alerts 

Another property to see a change in plans is an address on Featherstall Road North, which will become a five-bed flat instead of a HMO.

In April last year, plans for a three-bedroom HMO and a two-storey extension were approved, however a new application was filed in January this year to utilise the building for a self-contained flat instead.

The Oldham Times: The building will no longer be used as a HMOThe building will no longer be used as a HMO (Image: Google Maps)

This means the property will serve as a single dwelling instead.

Plans to build 16 new affordable homes in Oldham have been approved.

The three-bedroom houses will be built near the Northern Roots site on vacant land in between Belgrave Road and allotments in Hathershaw.

The Oldham Times: The homes will be built behind the houses on Belgrave Road, to the rightThe homes will be built behind the houses on Belgrave Road, to the right (Image: Google Maps)

The land in question is currently locked with alleygates and is "generally overgrown", while the new homes would "meet the needs" of the area.

Some nearby residents voiced their opposition to the plans, pointing to concerns over loss of privacy and light and highways issues.

However, the planning officer concluded the new development of the homes "would not be an undue and dominant addition to the site".