£1bn gateway vision revealed

THE Co-operative group is to transform Oldham’s gateway to Manchester city centre with a development so huge that it will have its own power station — using waste wood and biofuels.

Metrolink trams will join trains from Greenfield and Mills Hill carrying Oldhamers to Victoria Station this autumn.

Now, the Chronicle has learned new details of the £1 billion masterplan for the area around Victoria at a special briefing for business leaders.

The 20 acres of development will surround the Co-op’s new headquarters, which is being built off Dantzic Street, and will complement work promised by Network Rail on Victoria Station, branded the worst in the country last year.

David Pringle, director of investment and property strategy at the Co-operative Group, said: “We worked with the city council to come up with a vision for the area, to regenerate it and create a really new vibrant place and a great environment in which to work, live and play.”

The scheme will take up to 15 years to complete, but is well under way with seven different projects going on this year.

Designers will be appointed this month, and there will be new roads around the land to the north of Miller Street.

A deal has also been concluded with a partner to build a hotel on adjoining land.

The energy centre will be a 17 to 18 megawatt power station, using waste wood and biofuel, and the construction of new multi-storey car park is due to start this year.

Building the new head office was delayed in December due to the bad weather but staff should move in by September, 2012.

Mr Pringle concluded: “What is really important to us is the heritage of the site.

“We have been there for 150 years. We will hopefully be there for another 150 years and therefore it is our interest to make sure the scheme is a viable success.”