Fight on to save Oldham gateway

LAND in question . . . off Hollins Road, next to the M60 motorway

A Labour MP and local councillors are fighting plans to build a warehouse-type development in Hollinwood.

They want the open land next to the M60 motorway protected for a leisure and entertainment facility similar to the cinema and bowling alley at Ashton Moss.

The Hollinwood Junction site is Oldham Council’s major regeneration area.

Five local Labour councillors and Ashton MP David Heyes — whose constituency includes Failsworth — want any decision about development put off until after May’s local council elections.

Labour group leader, Councillor Jim McMahon, said plans for a distribution centre on land near Albert Mill came out during a ward visit with the council’s chief executive Charlie Parker.

And writing with fellow Labour councillors Barbara Dawson, Jean Stretton, John Battye and Glenys Butterworth — as well as Mr Heyes —he said: “Unfortunately, although the motorway has delivered many benefits it has not addressed the disruption and loss of identity to residents in Hollinwood who have suffered the break-up of their neighbourhood.

“Labour is committed to giving Hollinwood back its strong and historic sense of identity.

“We are keen to give Failsworth and the wider borough a gateway it can be proud of.

“We believe a development which includes leisure, cinema, bowling and a hotel among other things will benefit the whole borough.

“We are aware of moves to offer the site to a development partner and we strongly request that this is not pursued until the outcome of the election in May is known.

“I hope you can see the sense in our suggestion and share our desire to see the rebirth of Hollinwood — and perhaps even a new Roxy,” — a reference to the historic Hollinwood cinema which closed in 2007.

Mr Parker said: “This is a site which has a range of complex planning issues and is part of the council’s overall investment and regeneration strategy for the borough.

“Clearly, as a key gateway to Oldham, any development needs to work within the council’s regeneration priorities.

“As a result, any suggestions from members will be considered within that context.”