Changes to Oldham regeneration project will cost additional £7m

Oldham Council will be spending almost an additional £7m on its town centre regeneration project, reports have revealed. 

A sum of £6.75m has been re-allocated from external grants and other capital spending to complete works on the Old Library, Coliseum and George Square, which is to become the new outdoor market. 

A report presented at an economic scrutiny meeting on Wednesday, November 5.

Oldham Council was at pains to stress this is ‘not an overspend’, but an expansion of the original plans.

Two of the schemes required more extensive repairs than initially planned, while the outdoor market is an entirely new project. 

The Old Library – now known as the JR Clynes Building – requires additional work on the link bridge that connects to the new library.

The bridge was removed and then replaced during the refurbishment of the Old Library, which is now the new town hall. 

Meanwhile, a survey of the Coliseum’s roof identified further repairs than previously anticipated, with the new scheme of works recently approved by the planning department. 

The opening of the Coliseum, which was due to take place ‘in time for Panto season 2025’, has been delayed until next year. 

And George Square is a £2m scheme to connect King Street tram stop to the town centre, making space for the new outdoor market at the back of the Spindles, near the police station. 

Oldham Council were asked to clarify how much was being spent on the Coliseum and Link Bridge, but did not provide an exact figure. 

Commenting on the change, Oldham Council leader Arooj Shah said: “There’s no overspend here, what we are doing is expanding the scope of these projects to make sure we get the very best outcome for Oldham’s town centre.

“The £6.75 million referenced in the report is a planned reprofiling of budgets.

"We are using external funding more effectively, matching investment from government grants and partners so we can deliver a bigger and better regeneration programme without placing extra pressure on council taxpayers.

“This is about doing things properly, not quickly. By looking at these projects together we can make sure they complement each other, support local jobs, and create a town centre that residents can be proud of for generations to come.”

However, the change has also meant that funds originally promised to the restoration of the Diggle Clock Tower in Saddleworth have now been reallocated to these other schemes.

The £1m will now form a part of the investment into George Square, along with £1m from unallocated funds within capital spending.

Some Saddleworth residents were outraged by the ‘disgraceful’ decision, taking to social media to air their grievances. 

One resident, Mollie White, said: “This is really poor, I wish we could dictate where our council tax was spent!

"Why come up with new ideas if they don’t have the money freely available?” 

Another asked if there was a way for Saddleworth to ‘detach’ itself from Oldham Council if they felt their area ‘wasn’t getting a fair deal’. 

Saddleworth North coun Garth Harkness added: “As late as July, the council said they were committed to this project.

"Except they weren’t because in June they decided to take £1 million from this project to fund a project in Oldham town centre. 

“Yet again Saddleworth is going to lose out because the council overspent on pet projects in Oldham town centre and want Saddleworth money to bail them out.”

The Grade II-listed clock tower at a former Diggle pallet works forms the gateway to Saddleworth School but is owned by the council.

It has been in a ‘poor condition’ for a number of years, with the council first agreeing to undertake vital repairs in 2022. 

Oldham Council said: “We fully recognise the historic and community value of the Diggle Clock Tower, and what it means to residents.

"This is why we are exploring all possible options, including external funding, so that we can identify a sustainable way forward that preserves the building.

“The proposals mentioned in the report form part of a wider review of the council’s capital programme, a routine process to ensure public money is used as effectively as possible across all major regeneration projects.

"Councillors were informed of the proposals at a recent scrutiny meeting so they should be well aware this is the case. 

“Any future plans for the site will be shared with residents and local councillors as soon as they are developed further.”

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