760 jobs and dozens of homes in ‘gateway’ plan
A MASSIVE £35 million project to create new employment space, 760 jobs and more than a hundred new homes at Oldham’s ‘strategic gateway’ has taken a step forward.
The Hollinwood Junction development will feature 30 acres of land across three development sites, which will be used as a hub for businesses, as well as community and leisure space.
The plan is being delivered by Oldham council, in partnership with property firm Langtree, and aims to make the area a ‘credible business alternative’ to the centre of Manchester.
Once complete it is envisaged that the development will contain up to 150 family homes and boost the local economy with 760 new jobs.
It is hoped that the location of the site, which is close to both the M60 motorway and the Metrolink line between Rochdale and Manchester, will be an opportunity to establish a ‘regionally important’ employment destination at a key gateway site into Oldham.
To kick start building work, a redundant gas holder on the site off Albert Street is to be dismantled to clear land space, which the town hall says is a ‘significant milestone’ for the project.
The National Grid has written to local residents and businesses to make them aware of the start of works, which will be undertaken by contractor Erith and are expected to be completed early in 2019. Its removal will free up space which will contribute to the creation of 150,000 sq ft for business and employment.
Oldham council leader Sean Fielding said that regeneration is top of his list of priorities as new head of the authority, and the junction site had already attracted ‘a lot of interest’ from major brands.
“This is a key site that the council has been looking to unlock for development for a number of years,” he said.
“We’ve made significant progress in recent weeks with the agreement of the removal of a redundant gas holder that’s stood here since 1912. “It’s expected that because of its key important location it will able to create up to 760 jobs which represents a £35m investment right here in Hollinwood.
“This development at Hollinwood Junction puts Oldham firmly on the map as a credible alternative to Manchester city centre with excellent transport links.” As part of the Hollinwood Junction project, Euro Garages has already begun work to build a £2m petrol filling station on the old Roxy Cinema site which will include a convenience store and bakery, creating 30 jobs.
Neal Biddle, group development director at Langtree, said: “Our partnership is delivering the regeneration we promised and it’s good to be stepping up another gear. We’re now looking forward to announcing future phases and occupiers later in the year.”