Gateway to the future starts here

VISION of what’s to come . . . an artist’s impression of how St Mary’s will look

£16m housing project underway

A £16 MILLION regeneration project which will transform a major gateway into Oldham is underway in St Mary’s.

Contour Housing has started work on the site which will see new housing, infrastructure and open space.

Bounded by St Mary’s Way, Egerton Street and Horsedge Street, the site was previously occupied by poor-quality flats and has been derelict for some time.

The new scheme was approved by the council in March. Contour has worked closely with the council to develop a plan for the site which will provide much-needed family homes for the borough.

The development will deliver 52 new homes for social rent and 41 homes available to buy via the Rent to Homebuy scheme.

Plans also include an area of public open space, considerable landscaping and planting, a bus lay-by and a toucan crossing. Andrea Swanwick is managing the project for Contour.

She said: “It really is all systems go and we are delighted to be bringing St Mary’s back to life.

“When workmen started to erect the hoarding, I spoke to several local people who were really pleased to see that things are now starting to happen on this derelict site.

“Once the hoarding is up, remediation work is due to start later this month with the new-build commencing in the autumn.

“As well as building the new homes, Contour intends to work closely with existing residents to develop community initiatives which we hope will include and benefit the wider area.”