Projects worth £1bn in the pipeline

CONSTRUCTION work amounting to more than £1 billion and covering up to 15 years across Greater Manchester was outlined at the latest Oldham and Rochdale Construction Network business breakfast.

The bulk of the money comes from the Airport City and Logistics Hub developments by Manchester Airports Group, close to the airport - but Oldham Council also has a major capital programme of 12 projects, as does Rochdale.

Claire Nangle, head of strategic regeneration and development at Oldham Council, spoke of the leadership’s ambition to drive change in the borough and outlined major developments on the way.

Talks are at an advanced stage with two contractors for the redevelopment of the old town hall into an 800-seat cinema complex with five restaurants, cafes and other leisure outlets. Work is expected to start in the spring.

That is also the intended start date for the Hotel Future development, on land near the Civic Centre.

Other projects on the agenda are a major retailer as an anchor tenant for the redevelopment of the Southlink-Prince Street land around the new Metrolink interchange at Mumps, major housing programmes at Foxdenton; the Lancaster Club, Failsworth, and Limehurst, plus former school sites around Oldham.

Central government is overseeing a £15 million new Saddleworth School in Diggle and Oldham has the funds for a new special school, to be constructed in the town centre.

Funding has been secured for architectural and design work on the planned new Coliseum Theatre in Union Street-Waterloo Street.