Works starts on £113m housing

COUNCILLOR Dave Hibbert digs in to mark the start of a groundbreaking £113m housing scheme which will see hundreds of new and refurbished homes built across the borough.

WORK on hundreds of new and refurbished homes in four different areas of Oldham has begun.

The £113 million Gateways to Oldham project started yesterday following a ground-breaking ceremony held in Chadderton.

A consortium of Wates, Great Places Housing Group and Regenter signed a 25-year contract to deliver improved public-housing services in the borough.

More than 300 new council homes will be built and 322 council properties will be refurbished.

The project will include two new community centres, improved parking, footpaths, street lighting and and a retail unit over a 25-year period. Areas earmarked for improvements include the Crossley and Primrose Bank estates with the new homes built on brownfield sites at Westwood and Fitton Hill.

Steve Jackson, Wates Living Space’s regional managing director, said: “Today marks the start of a significant transformation in Oldham’s housing provision and we are delighted to get be part of that.

“We have an excellent site team in place that have already been busy making links with the local community to ensure we utilise our presence in the borough to create local employment and training opportunities.

“We’re eager to get cracking — now is the time for the hard work of building to begin.”

Councillor Dave Hibbert, Oldham Council’s cabinet member for housing, transport and regeneration, added: “This is a significant scheme that will be of great benefit to local residents and businesses.

“After years of negotiation, people will now see the plans take shape as work starts leading to greatly improved local communities and the opportunity of jobs for local people.”