Countryside breaks ground on £83m Oldham resi
The housebuilder has started work to deliver 365 homes on a 22-acre brownfield plot in Fitton Hill, more than a year after planning permission was granted for the project.
Countryside Partnerships has broken ground on the £83m Oldham scheme, which will provide a mix of one- to three-bedroom properties across two sites off Hill Farm Close and Rosary Road.
The larger 18-acre plot off Hill Farm Close will feature 302 homes, with the remaining 63 homes to be built on the smaller four-acre plot off Rosary Road.
Known as Hartshead View, the development is being delivered in partnership with Great Places Housing Group and Sigma Capital. There will be 97 build-to-rent homes available under Sigma’s private rental brand, Simple Life, and 81 affordable houses managed by Great Places.
Joe Turner, managing director for Manchester and Cheshire East at Countryside Partnerships, said: “Through collaboration with partners such as Great Places and Sigma, our development portfolio remains diverse, delivering the homes that people need in the areas that need them most.”
Matthew Harrison, chief executive at Great Places, added: “The scheme is a testament to the power of partnership working.
“This project demonstrates our commitment to creating great places to live across Greater Manchester, and we look forward to seeing the progress of the development and welcoming the first residents in 2024.”
The breaking ground ceremony follows Countryside’s acquisition of the larger 22-acre site in April, 12 months after the developer won planning consent for the project.
Previously occupied by Fitton Hill County Infant, Fitton Hill Secondary Modern, and Marland Fold Schools, as well as a now-demolished housing estate, the land is now vacant.
Countryside acquired the site in April. Credit: via SEC Newgate
Cllr Arooj Shah, Leader of Oldham Council, said: “I was really happy to take part in the ground-breaking ceremony to mark the start of construction on these much-needed homes for Oldhamers, on land that had been derelict and vacant for more than 20 years.
“Working with our partners, we’ve been able to design a development that will promote a real sense of community, bringing together residents from different walks of life.”
The project team for the scheme includes E3P, Redmore Environmental, CBO Transport, ELLUC, and Urban Green.
To learn more about the project, search for application number FUL/347540/21 on Oldham Council’s website.
