New CGI images reveal how project bringing more than 330 new homes to a Greater Manchester town centre will look

New images show how a major project to transform Oldham town centre into a ‘vibrant and thriving’ place will look.

Developers Muse want to turn land at Princes Gate, near Oldham Mumps, into a development of more than 330 flats across three towers. 

If approved at next week’s planning meeting, the three apartment blocks, which will be 16, 12, and six storeys high, will contain 331 one-bed, two-bed and three-bed homes. 

The red-brick structures, built to blend in with nearby architecture, will also feature communal areas, co-working spaces and cycle storage.

Commercial units will also be integrated into the ground floors, which could become home to ‘retail, café, creche, health service, or educational use’. 

The images show the buildings commanding the space next to Mumps tram spot, where there is currently an ‘underutilized’ car park. 

The plans are part of an ambitious partnership between the ‘city builders’ Muse and Oldham Council, in an effort to revive the struggling town centre.

The Prince’s Gate is one of six developments proposed for the town, most of which intend to bring residential properties closer to retailers on Oldham high streets. 

While all six projects are being considered on Wednesday, July 2, Prince’s Gate is the only one seeking full planning permission at this stage, meaning it is likely to become the first to begin construction. 

The two taller blocks will be located towards the eastern side of the former car park, with shop-fronts facing towards the tram stop.  The upper floors will provide 256 dwellings, with a mix of 129 one-bed, 102 two-bed and 25 three-bed units. 

The third block, separated from the other two via a communal plaza with green space, will have 75 dwellings with a mix of 30 one-bed, 39 two-bed and 6 three-bed units, including five units located on the ground floor.

The buildings are designed to be as ‘car free as possible’ due to its vicinity to public transport links. There will be only 18 accessible car parking spaces available to those with disabilities, and there will be a dedicated taxi pick-up and drop-off zone as part of the designs. 

The designs have been recommended for approval by planning officers, who said: “The development will deliver a new residential neighbourhood which can act as a catalyst for further regeneration.” 

Having received only one objection from members of the public, the application has only been called in as it’s a ‘major application involving the council as landowner’. 

The objector raised concerns about crime and overpopulation in the town centre. But planning officers believe these have been addressed by the developer.