A date has been set for the commencement of the first phase of a 'transformational' project in Oldham town centre. Developers Muse received approval to construct over 1,600 flats at a planning meeting last week.
The plans will significantly change several key landmarks in Oldham, including the Civic Tower, the Civic Centre and its brutalist theatre, the Queen Elizabeth Hall, Manchester Chambers, the former leisure centre, the former Magistrates Courts site, and the car park at Prince's Gate.
Most of these sites will be converted into blocks of flats, with retail outlets and community spaces occupying the ground floor, mirroring the layout of Manchester's Northern Quarter.
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The developers have now announced that the initial construction works are slated to commence this autumn, with Prince's Gate selected as the first site. The construction will follow some preliminary works and site investigations, which are due to start 'imminently'.
The initiation of these works will mark the end of a decade-long saga surrounding the Prince's Gate site. The council-owned land was originally intended to house an M&S warehouse nearly ten years ago, but the supermarket chain withdrew from the project in 2016.
Subsequently, Lidl proposed plans to transform the site into a store and construct a hotel for a national chain. However, after four years of negotiations, this deal also collapsed in 2023.
Oldham's troubled past with development projects not materialising is often highlighted by locals as a reason for scepticism. However, under new proposals, it's understood that the Prince's Gate area will be among the first to see progress, according to the Local Democracy Reporting Service.
Councillor Arooj Shah, the counci's leader, said: "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.
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"Together, we are creating a place that we can all be proud of."
Muse's senior development manager, Alex Vogel, said: "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".
These six schemes form part of a 15-year partnership between Oldham Council and Muse, the company behind the redesign of Mackie Mayors, Stockport Exchange, and Smithfield in Manchester.