Approvals across the board for Muse in Oldham

Six planning applications have been given the thumbs-up, clearing the way for a partnership between the developer and council to deliver 1,600 homes at critical sites including the Civic Centre and Prince’s Gate.

Also covered in the raft of approvals are the proposals for the Civic Centre, the former Magistrates’ Court, the former Manchester Chambers and the former town centre leisure centre.

In total, up to 1,619 homes, from one-bedroom apartments to larger family properties, will be delivered.

The project team includes CBRE, Turley advising on strategic communications, Planit, WSP, Hawkins\Brown, Max Fordham and Ridge. Civic is providing civil and structural engineering services.

Enabling works to prepare the sites for future development are ongoing, with initial works at the Civic Centre now complete. Works at Prince’s Gate and the former Magistrates’ Court are next up.

The six sites at a glance:

• Prince’s Gate: gateway project close to Mumps station, with 331 homes expected in three blocks, rising up to 16 storeys.
• Former Magistrates Court: with the court demolished in 2019, two blocks of eight and 11 storeys will house 219 apartments.
• Civic Centre: Up to 838 homes are planned in the largest single project coming forward, with 4,100 sq ft of commercial or education space supporting.
• Former leisure centre: two blocks featuring around 270 homes, along with community facilities or commercial offers.
• Civic Tower: a change of use was requested here, where a 126-key hotel could be developed across the building’s 16 floors.
• Former Manchester Chambers: Commercial space, offices and public realm are inked in for a project that will see 18,300 sq ft of buildings cleared.

Oldham Council and Muse intend to work in partnership over the next 15 years to develop the sextet of council-owned brownfield sites across the town centre.

Following endorsement of the development framework in November, proposals for six priority sites were worked up and submitted for approval earlier this year, following a consultation process.

On 2 July, Oldham’s planning committee approved all six applications at a specially convened session, put into the calendar to allow members to consider the full picture.

Cllr Arooj Shah, Leader of Oldham Council, said: “This decision marks a key milestone in delivering on our promises for Oldham. Oldham Council and Muse have a shared, ambitious vision to create a quality place that people genuinely want to spend time in.

“I am thrilled that we can continue moving forward with our plans – delivering high-quality homes, including the provision of social and affordable homes to meet local needs. We will also support local businesses and create opportunities for everyone, as part of a clean, green and sustainable future.

“Together, we are creating a place that we can all be proud of.”

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Alex Vogel, senior development manager at Muse, added: “On behalf of the whole project team, we are delighted that Oldham Council’s planning committee have granted approval to these six planning applications.

“The final plans were shaped and refined over a number of months, listening to community and stakeholder feedback to help create a place for people to live, work and play.

“We are excited to be able to continue pushing forward with the delivery of our plans and to start building much-needed new homes in the town centre for the people of Oldham.”

Site investigation is due to start on Prince’s Gate imminently before finishing on the Magistrates’ Court later this year.

Work could begin at Prince’s Gate in the autumn, said the partners, at a site where various proposals have come forward over the last decade but ultimately foundered.