Enabling works set stage for £550m Oldham vision
The ball is rolling on Muse’s plans for the construction of 240 homes on a former leisure centre site, identified in Oldham’s development framework as a character area with residential potential.
The scheme is part of the developer’s 24-acre, £550m town centre transformation, being undertaken in partnership with the council, which is hoped to deliver 2,000 homes for Oldham.
Approval was granted in June last year for remediation works to start. The leisure centre and pool were demolished in 2016, meanwhile, the site has found use as a public car park.
Oldham’s development framework envisages two L-shaped blocks centred around a private residents’ courtyard.
The first proposed block would face Lord Street and St Mary’s Way, ranging from five to eight storeys across split levels.
Block two would face onto a linear park and St Mary’s Way. It would also be split level between five and eight storeys.
Plans suggest the scheme needs to have a sensitive design to accommodate potential heritage impacts on the nearby grade two-listed Church of St Mary and St Peter and the Oldham town centre conservation area to the south of the site.
In addition to works beginning on this site, EIA screening and scoping opinion reports have been submitted for three other sites.
How the wider redevelopment of Oldham town centre could look. Credit: via Oldham Council
Alex Vogel, senior development manager, Muse, said: “This is hugely exciting for Oldham. Not only are we moving forward with key planning considerations through the EIA submissions, but we’re also seeing real, tangible progress on site.
“The enabling works at the former leisure centre demonstrate our commitment to delivering high-quality homes in the heart of Oldham, with sustainability and accessibility central to our vision.”
He added: “We look forward to engaging further with the community in the coming weeks as part of the consultation process, ensuring that local people help shape the future of the town centre.”
Cllr Arooj Shah, Leader of Oldham Council, added: “Our partnership with Muse is delivering real change for Oldham, and I’m delighted to see work getting underway at the former leisure centre.
“This site is just one part of a much larger vision to bring new homes, jobs, and opportunities to the town centre.
“We’re making sure that sustainability is at the heart of everything we do, and I encourage all residents to take part in the upcoming public consultation to help shape the town’s future.”
- View the consultation: oldhamtownliving.co.uk
“Enabling works” mean nothing, when gullible investors and developers (if there are any!) have actually built these structures then only then will I believe it may happen!
By Anonymous
Just cross the road to st Mary’s that’s how the town centre will be within 6 months
By Bobby boreland
Where are all these residents going to shop in Oldham and what jobs will be created once the building is done.
By Anonymous
These residents won’t need so called shop.
By Anonymous
It’s alright building all these houses but we need more doctors ,dentists,schools to help with all the new houses all the services are over run already
Have you looked into this
By Anonymous
You can drive to a supermarket and no jobs, these people will already have jobs
By Anonymous
This is fantastic for the town centre, will hopefully give a much needed boost to shops and businesses. The linear park sounds intriguing too! Really looking forward to seeing the detailed proposal emerge.
By Optimistic Oldhamer
Maybe there will be a need for some shops if there’s people living there.
By Ginger
Oh Muse…
Started their Prestwich development… Closed the free car park, dug a few holes and then left
Virtually no parking in Prestwich now.
By John E
another stupid labor party idea
By N khan
There is no mention of weather these homes will be for private sale or social housing. Also where are you going to create these new jobs, at the moment Oldham has high unemployment. It seems to me that what is needed is more permanent positions, at the moment so many people are employed either by agencies or on short term contracts. Until this is sorted you have no chance of regeneration and are just throwing money away.
By Gary Bradburn
When it’s finished it will be a housing estate not a town centre for shoppers
By Anonymous
Ah yes – the two town centre uses: shopping and parking. Some people seriously need to broaden their minds.
By Anonymous