A new CGI animation of the multi-million pound project shaping the future of Oldham town centre has been shared with the Local Democracy Reporting Service.
The video, screened for the first time at the real estate conference UKREiff earlier this week, shows how several major developments could change the skyline of the borough.
A three-dimensional map outlines plans for four new building complexes that are a part of Oldham Council’s partnership with city-building consultants Muse. These are the current Civic Centre, due to be turned into a hotel and apartment complexes; the former magistrates court; Oldham’s former leisure centre; and ‘Prince’s Gate’, an underused carpark in Mumps. All of these will be converted into housing and shops.
The animation shows new yellow and red-brick buildings between five and 15 stories high.
A voice-over by Oldham Council leader Arooj Shah states the projects will create up to 2,000 new homes and bring "more than 800 new jobs, new businesses, and investment to the town centre".
Cllr Shah said: “[Oldham] is a place with real potential. People have been telling me for so long that they want real change and I couldn’t agree more. That change is coming.
“We’re delivering one of the most ambitious town centre regeneration programs anywhere across the country. … We’re bringing life back into the town centre with up to 2,000 new homes, a modern, flexible new Spindles development with a brand new market, brand new events space, co-working hubs and a re-imagined town square.”
The plans shown in the video also include an extended green space and hints at other plans for the town, such as the Town Centre Heat Network, which will source renewable energy for public buildings from Air Source Heat Pumps and floodwater in disused coal mines.
Oldham announced their 15-year partnership with Muse last year. Despite facing scepticism from some residents and opposition councillors, the council has forged ahead with the plans, with some remedial and preparatory work already underway at some of the earmarked locations.
A public survey conducted by Muse showed that while many residents supported the scheme, some worried it would "turn the town centre into a housing estate" or cause gentrification of the area, with property prices likely to quickly outpace local wages.
Muse and the council have pledged the project would contain a mixture of social housing, build to rent apartments and properties available for sale at an affordable rate.
The council pitched the video in front of a room of industry experts and developers hoping to attract the attention of potential investors into the project, which council bosses hope will also be supported by government and local authority funding.
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