Cabinet to push for mill revamp

The listed and derelict Hartford Mill, which the council cannot afford to buy

Oldham Council is dropping plans to buy the derelict Hartford mill in Werneth — but wants the owner to secure and improve the building.

Government cuts and the recession mean it is no longer economic to put a compulsory purchase order on the building, councillors will be told tomorrow.

The privately-owned mill, built in Block Lane in 1907, is a Grade II listed building in Werneth’s Housing Market Renewal area.

It has been empty since it was used as a mail-order warehouse in 1992, and has become a magnet for anti-social behaviour, vandalism and fires.

Its future will be discussed in private at tomorrow’s cabinet meeting, where members will hear that changes to Government spending and cuts to the the HMR budget mean plans for a CPO need to be reviewed.

Once the building is secure, Oldham Council says it will work with the owner to identify the best use of the mill and how it can contribute to the future regeneration of the area.

The council will use its powers to serve notice on the owner to improve and secure the building, or the authority will do the work and charge the owner. Similar powers were used for the Lakeview complex near Alexandra Park.