Oldham Liberal Democrat Councillors Sam Al-Hamdani and Hazel Gloster will pose this question when they propose a related motion at the next full meeting of Oldham Council (15 July).

Councillors Al-Hamdani and Gloster are seeking a guarantee that any new homes that are built in the Borough have natural light and a minimum space standard. They also want this guarantee to extend to former non-residential premises converted into homes.

Councillor Al-Hamdani, who is proposing the motion, said: “In Watford last year, despite the strong objections of the Liberal Democrat Mayor and Liberal Democrat Council, planning permission was granted for flats that had no windows and were smaller than 37 square metres, which is below the government guidelines.  While there are guidelines, there is nothing in law saying this cannot happen in Oldham or anywhere else in the UK.

“The Oldham Liberal Democrats want to ensure that the residents of any new or converted homes in this borough enjoy access to natural light and good space standards; accommodation that provides anything less can only be considered oppressive and not fit-for-purpose in our modern age.”

Councillor Hazel Gloster, who is seconding the motion, added: “The regulations are constantly changing and are being increasingly relaxed.  We want the Council to write to the Secretary of State urging the law be changed so that councils can have the final say on dwelling standards. And we want the Mayor of Greater Manchester and Oldham Council to put something in place to make sure people have excellent living conditions.

“With the proposals to build thousands of new homes under the Greater Manchester Spatial Framework, many in my own ward, it is vital that we secure such guarantees. Homes with no natural light and cramped rooms should be rejected on humanitarian grounds.”

The Council meeting will be held on 15^th July and starts at 6pm.

Copy of Motion: Council July 15, 2020 – Notice of Opposition Business

Motion 1 – Preventing modern slums in Oldham Borough

This Council notes that:

• In 2019,15 oppressive flats got the go ahead in Watford through a planning loophole.  These dwellings were below the government’s advisory space guidelines for homes, and some had no access to natural light.
• Homes without natural light are inhumane for people to dwell in.  This is not an acceptable standard for people to live by in Oldham Borough, nor anywhere for that matter.
• The Government minimum recommended size for dwellings built or renovated is 37 square metres.  However, this is not a legal requirement.
• The current legislation allows offices and warehouses to be converted to flats without planning permission.  This is how the inhumane dwellings in Watford got around the council’s humanitarian objections.
• We live in a time where it is decent and common practice that farm animals get to see sunlight as part of their daily living conditions.
• A government review of these regulations is underway.
• Oldham Borough Council must prevent modern slums from slipping through the planning net locally.  An oppressive environment would have a serious impact upon the health of future occupiers.

This Council resolves to:

• Write to the Secretary of State urging that the General Permitted Development Order be changed so that councils can have the final say on dwellings and that those proposals with no natural light be rejected on humanitarian grounds.
• Write to Mayor Andy Burnham to request that the Greater Manchester Spatial framework notes the inhumane nature of this policy when assessing the use of brownfield sites.
• That proposed dwellings with no natural light will not be built in Oldham Borough as an oppressive living environment would have a serious negative impact upon physical and mental health.
• This Council has a commitment to providing homes that are of an acceptable modern standard.

Proposed by:  Councillor Sam Al-Hamdani, Seconded by: Councillor Hazel Gloster