Giant gasholder could make way for economic gateway

DEVELOPMENT plans . . . the imposing gasholder on the Albert Road site is set to be demolished under new proposals

HOLLINWOOD’S giant disused gasholder could be demolished to make way for an employment-led business district — and an hotel.

Ambitious plans to regenerate the site go before Oldham Planning Committee on Wednesday.

The 165ft gasholder was the largest in the country when it was built in 1913, but it has been empty since it was decommissioned in 2009 Overgrown trees and shrubbery now clutter the disused land and neglected buildings.

The scheme is recommended for approval. Permission is been sought to demolish the gasholder and erect buildings for offices, general industrial units, storage and distribution, bringing new jobs with them.

The submission also shows a smaller area of the land could be used for leisure facilities such as restaurants and cafes, with the possibility of a five-storey hotel being built to reinforce the “gateway” nature of the site.

If approved, details of appearance, landscaping, layout and scale of developments will be subject to more detailed planning permission.