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Works starts on £113m housing
Reporter: Andrew Rudkin
Date online: 20 December 2011
WORK on hundreds of new and refurbished homes in four different areas of Oldham has begun.
The £113 million Gateways to Oldham project started yesterday following a ground-breaking ceremony held in Chadderton.
A consortium of Wates, Great Places Housing Group and Regenter signed a 25-year contract to deliver improved public-housing services in the borough.
More than 300 new council homes will be built and 322 council properties will be refurbished.
The project will include two new community centres, improved parking, footpaths, street lighting and and a retail unit over a 25-year period. Areas earmarked for improvements include the Crossley and Primrose Bank estates with the new homes built on brownfield sites at Westwood and Fitton Hill.
Steve Jackson, Wates Living Space’s regional managing director, said: “Today marks the start of a significant transformation in Oldham’s housing provision and we are delighted to get be part of that.
“We have an excellent site team in place that have already been busy making links with the local community to ensure we utilise our presence in the borough to create local employment and training opportunities.
“We’re eager to get cracking — now is the time for the hard work of building to begin.”
Councillor Dave Hibbert, Oldham Council’s cabinet member for housing, transport and regeneration, added: “This is a significant scheme that will be of great benefit to local residents and businesses.
“After years of negotiation, people will now see the plans take shape as work starts leading to greatly improved local communities and the opportunity of jobs for local people.”
Comments
I'm sure the Council would like to deal with Derker but the Tory/LibDem Government has scuppered the Housing Market Renewal Progamme. Fortunately this PFI scheme. also originating under Labour, has survived the Tory/LibDem depredations. Yes Tough on the HMR areas but this is till much needed building jobs and new homes in our area. Let's try to see the positives
Everybody locally is angry to see residents in Derker and Werneth left in limbo. But it was the Tory/LibDem coalition of Cameron, Osborne, Clegg and Cable, that made that appalling decision.
The local LibDem councillors have got to make up their minds soon. How long are they going to continue to support a government whose policies they disagree with? All of the one-time LibDem voters who I have spoken with have already decided where their votes are going in future elections. Not to the Liberals
The Gateway to Oldham scheme is great news for the people of Oldham. I hope all the companies involved keep to their word and employ local labour. I was made redundant from my job in the construction industry, and have called on to ev ery building site in Oldham looking for work. All the workforce on two of the biggest sites in Oldham are from Liverpool so not exactly local are they! They must be hundreds of construction workers in Oldham desperate for a job myself being one of them!
I am tired of reading about "Gateway" this, that and the other. The so called "gateway" from the M62 through Denshaw village is riddled with long potpoles. Drivers need to weave from side to side to avoid these monster holes.Might I suggest another sign Welcome to Oldham - we guarantee to damage your car. If the thugs don't do your car,our roads certainly will.
Have Your Say
So Derker remains on the back burner,the council would be better clearing up the mess they have made of our lovely neighbourhood before proceeding with new projects.
By wiseowl @ 20/12/2011 18:06:19