Oldham Town Living: Key milestones approaching in Oldham Council and Muse partnership

Plans to transform Oldham Town Centre with up to 2,000 new homes will take a key step forward as Oldham Council’s Cabinet meets to approve the Oldham Town Living Development Framework.

Oldham Council and Muse are working in partnership to develop council-owned brownfield sites across the town centre, including the former Magistrates’ Court and Manchester Chambers; Civic Centre and Queen Elizabeth Hall; and the former Oldham Leisure Centre site.

In addition to the three core sites, five opportunity sites are also identified for potential redevelopment as part of the partnership’s vision to deliver positive change for Oldham.

On Monday 18 November, Oldham Council’s Cabinet are set to approve the Oldham Town Living Development Framework – this document will be used by the Planning Committee when considering planning applications within Oldham Town Centre.

Councillors are also asked to include Prince’s Gate as a fourth core site within the partnership agreement with Muse. The vacant land is capable of delivering around 295 new homes and a community conversation on the site will be undertaken in the future.

The decisions are to come following a seven-week community conversation during which hundreds of people shared their views on the draft Development Framework. The feedback – which included comments on parking, safety and greenspace – has been considered and incorporated into the final plan where possible.

Cllr Arooj Shah, Leader of Oldham Council, said: “Oldham Council and Muse have a shared vision to transform Oldham Town Centre with fantastic new homes, businesses and opportunities for Oldhamers. A place we can all be proud of.

“Our partnership with Muse is game-changing for Oldham and this next step will mark a huge milestone in our town’s future. I’m especially pleased that we have the opportunity to breathe new life into Prince’s Gate with much needed, affordable new homes in a great location at the heart of a transformed town centre.

“We’re maximising every chance to make Oldham a fantastic place to live and visit—and we’re bringing the community with us every step of the way.”

Emma Payne, Project Manager at Muse added: “We are delighted that the Development Framework is set to be approved by Oldham Council’s Cabinet. We enjoyed meeting with Oldhamers during this summer’s community conversation and sharing our vision for a town centre with character, thousands of new homes, and an emphasis on sustainability, community and quality.

“The feedback we received throughout the summer has been fundamental in helping us shape our final plans and we’re looking forward to working with Oldham Council to deliver positive change for the people of Oldham.”

Following the Cabinet meeting, Muse and Oldham Council will be seeking the community’s feedback once again – to help shape the final plans for the Prince’s Gate site.

The site could accommodate three separate apartment blocks and is likely to include a mix of build to rent, affordable rent and social housing.

With funding already secured from the Brownfield Housing Land Grant to support redevelopment of the site near Oldham Mumps, the partnership has committed to submitting a planning application early next year with construction expected to start at the end of 2025.

These key Cabinet decisions are being made as work gets underway at the former Oldham Leisure Centre site off Rock Street, to prepare the land for future development.

A planning application to build on the land will be submitted in the future with the site expected to accommodate around 250 apartments in a series of L-shaped blocks overlooking Oldham’s brand new town centre park.

For more information visit www.oldhamtownliving.co.uk and to keep up to date on the latest news, follow @OldhamTownLiving on Instagram and Facebook and @Oldham_Living on X.