Council leader determined to get new town centre masterplan right

Oldham Council leader Sean Fielding

Oldham Council's leader has defended spending public money on scrapping the old town centre masterplan and starting again.

Councillor Sean Fielding, who took over Oldham Council's top job following Jean Stretton's exit in May, has revealed he wants to focus on bringing people into the area to live rather than just for a night out.

Councillor Fielding also says he's comfortable spending money now as long as it lasts for the next two to three decades.

"There is undoubtedly a cost during the period at which we're formulating the revised plan," the council leader said.

"But that cost is miniscule compared to the cost of getting it wrong over the longer term.

"If it means spending a little more now in the short term to get it right, then I think that was the right decision."

The council leader also claims residential will play a major role in his plan.

"If there were people living in Oldham, then there would be people around and about because they live there and they'd be going to local bars and local restaurants," Councillor Fielding added.

"I think the most important thing we can do to ensure the success of Oldham town centre in the future is to build residential accommodation that will house people who have disposable income."

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