Prince’s Gate, Spindles planning apps coming this year

A Lidl and a hotel are to be proposed as part of the much-delayed Prince’s Gate project, which was initially due to complete in 2018. Oldham Council also said a detailed application for Spindles would be submitted soon.

“We know people were disappointed with what appeared to be no action taking place at Prince’s Gate, but we were having conversations at pace to ensure that work was progressing to honour the promise of development,” said Oldham Council leader Arooj Shah.

“We are now at a stage where we can share the first steps towards that. Prince’s Gate is just one of the many fantastic projects taking place to give us all a town centre we can all be proud of.”

Shah’s statement came in a council press release sharing updates on the council’s major development projects. The council also released a video spotlighting its plans for Oldham’s future. You can watch the video below.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7tre-LzqI8E

Shah said that the council would be deciding a timeline for the Spindles transformation at its meeting tomorrow. Work on the project is set to begin in spring with the demolition of the former TJ Hughes store. A detailed planning application for a new Tommyfield Market is set to be submitted “very soon”, according to the council. The council will also discuss a plan to provide financial assistance to help the traders in the current market with a move to the new one.

Other project updates:

Royton Town Hall and Library – the council is investing in making the buildings more accessible and energy-efficient. Work has begun on refurbishing the clock tower. Demolition of extension buildings will begin soon. When those buildings have been demolished, a new gable end wall and windows will be built to the rear of the building. After that, the council will improve the roof and conduct internal refurbishment works.

Cultural Quarter – A planning application to create a fit-for-purpose performance space in Oldham is set to be submitted this year. The Old Library Building is undergoing maintenance and repair work. After that work is complete, an outline business case for the building will be developed.

Accessible Oldham – Work has begun improving the streets and roads for pedestrians and cyclists – in particular, Albion street and Henshaw Street.

Alexandra Park Eco Depot – Work has begun on building an environmentally friendly depot at Alexandra Park. It is slated to finish in winter of this year.

New Saddleworth School – Handover of the £25m school is scheduled for this month. It will officially open on 2 March.

Town Centre Park – The council is developing design plans to create a 5.7-acre park, known as Jubilee Park.

Town Centre Heat Network – A first stage feasibility study on a potential minewater heat network was completed in spring 2021. Another feasibility study to create an outline business case is ready to begin, once the council approves the acceptance of a grant from the Department of Business of Energy and Industrial Strategy.