End of a five-year hitch

Plan at last for 112 new homes

A MASTERPLAN has finally been submitted to build 112 new homes in Werneth after a five-year delay.

The Spencer Street development was supposed to have the first new homes under the Housing Market Renewal initiative in Werneth in 2006 before it was hit by the credit crunch.

But partners Countryside Properties have now handed its proposal to Oldham Council for redevelopment of the site with 81 private and 31 affordable houses.

The two to five-bedroom properties, built of red brick with grey roof tiles, are complete with gardens, public open space, roads and sewers, with the affordable properties to be managed by Great Places Housing Group.

Countryside Properties say they have taken on board public consultation and the overriding feeling from the public was positive.

It adds: “The community has obviously undergone a considerable amount of disturbance and it’s patently clear that its main wish is for housing to start being delivered and a blighted site be bought back to use for the benefit of all.

“The development will provide an attractive, high-quality designed area to live. The scale and character of the proposals will ensure that the scheme will contribute and enhance the existing residential area.”

The development was touted as an eye-catching scheme in 2006 when young architects across Europe were invited to put forward designs. The area was cleared of a number of commercial and industrial buildings in preparation.

But the futuristic plans never took shape and each time applications seemed near they never materialised.

Countryside Properties says that the main design challenges included clearing up the contaminated site, improving its visual appearance and developing it in a way that creates a natural extension of Werneth but with its own sense of identity.

The homes will be at least 20 per cent more energy-saving than current building regulations with high-performance insulation, high-performance condensing gas boilers, high-efficiency double-glazed windows and energy efficient lighting.

Councillor John McCann, Cabinet member for regeneration and environment, said: “Oldham is desperate for decent housing and this is an area that needs it.”