Gas holder set to be demolished

REDUNDANT . . . The gas holder in Hollinwood has been earmarked for demolition for years

A REDUNDANT gas holder is set to be demolished this summer.

A report to Oldham Council's Cabinet meeting last night outlined plans to clear the 1.78-acre site in Hollinwood and acquire it from owners National Grid Property Holdings Ltd.

The gas holder, near the M60, was identified as preventing progress on future development, including the creation of 150,000 square feet of employment space and up to 500 jobs.

However, the owners are not scheduled to take it down until 2023, so if the Council acquire the site from the current owners this would speed up the demolition.

The 165ft construction in Albert Street was the largest in the country when it was built in 1913.

It has been out of use since 2009. Since then plans have been made to demolish it as part of regeneration in the area.

The council entered into a Strategic Partnering Agreement (SPA) in relation to the land with developers Langtree Group PLC.

Planning permission for the demolition and also the Revocation of the Hazardous Substances Consent Order have been secured.

Work will start in the summer and is expected be completed next year.