Demolition paves way for housing re-birth

Bulldozers move in to start demolition work

BULLDOZERS have moved in to begin demolishing two mills and other buildings to make way for regeneration in Hathershaw.

Five properties — Borough Mill, the former Richard Cort garage, Castle Mill and two annexes to Castle Mill — known as the Borough Triangle development, are being pulled down between Copster Hill Road and Ashton Road.

Oldham Council, which owns the land, has approved the work and it will be paid for using Housing Market Renewal (HMR) money.

The large scale of the demolition has meant the closure of Schofield Street from yesterday until tomorrow. The site is surrounded by residential property and residents have been informed of the work.

Initial work began in May, when asbestos was removed from the five buildings, to stop arsonists and burglars causing problems.

While the buildings have been empty, council workers had to visit the site on an almost daily basis to screen and secure it.

In April, 20 fire-fighters stopped a blaze spreading to the main body of Borough Mill when arsonists set fire to wooden pallets in a single-storey annexe in Neild Street.

Fire-fighters asked for the mill to be demolished quickly to avoid future arson attacks.

The area is a key project in the Fitton Hill and Hathershaw New Deal for Communities project area.

Developer Countryside Properties has drawn up plans to provide up to 300 contemporary homes, new shops and offices, with landscaped areas and open space.

The proposals have been commissioned by New Deal for Communities, HMR and the council.

Work on the site, which will cost £469,000 for service disconnections, the asbestos removal and final demolition, is expected to continue until January next year.