Maple Mill and West Vale primed for green light in Oldham

3 June 2021 14:02 Neil Tague Comments (0)

MCI Developments’ proposal for 98 affordable homes where the former spinning mill stood are recommended for council approval, along with housing provider First Choice’s redevelopment of a gateway site.

All the homes at MCI’s scheme, which has attracted no objections, will be available either through affordable rent or shared ownership.

Keepmoat subsidiary MCI is working with local company SRK Developments and a professional team including planning consultancy Lichfields, environmental advisors E3P and Ironside Farrar, landscape architect Trevor Bridge Associates, and engineer IGE Consulting.

The two-building mill in Cardwell Street, Hathershaw was featured in a 2004 TV documentary on controversial businessman Vance Miller, who ran his kitchens business from the site.

The building suffered an arson attack in 2016, its second inside a decade, and was demolished following partial collapse.

The site is 4.6 acres in total. The proposed make-up of the housing is:

18 one-bedroom apartments
6 two-bedroom apartments
12 one-bed maisonettes
24 two-bedroom family houses
26 three-bedroom family houses
12 four-bedroom family houses.

Several Oldham mill sites have advanced in recent months, mostly involving demolition and new-build. Renaker subsidiary Kellen Homes bought Royton’s Vernon Mill in March with plans for 100 houses, while plans are in the works for a new-build apartment scheme at Thornham Mill.

Oldham’s June planning committee is also recommended to approve West Vale, a First Choice Homes project involving the demolition of two tower blocks, Crossbank House and Summervale House, to be replaced by 88 homes and open space.

First Choice West Vale

The site sits close to Manchester Street at the town centre’s western gateway, with the plans including 26 houses and 62 apartments in an eight-storey block. NJL Consulting advises First Choice, with PRP as architect.

First Choice Homes Oldham’s West Vale proposals form part of a £160m plan to deliver 850 homes in the town over the next six years.

Finally, the committee will be asked to approve a minor change to the recently-approved County Court development by One Heritage, with the number of flats reduced by one to 42 in line with the requirements of housing association Arcon, which is to manage the building.