Our Sustainable Future: Oldham

Oldham has an ambitious local authority, which has overseen the transformation of the town centre in recent years.

This has included the regeneration of the Old Town Hall and Spindles Shopping Centre, along with enhanced public spaces, a new bus station and the arrival of the Metrolink. We are now working in partnership with Oldham Council to plot the next phase of the town’s regeneration. The Council’s vision is to redefine the town’s residential and retail offer, creating an environment which benefits residents, attracts visitors, and drives long-term investment. Meeting the Council’s aspirations, our approach includes the delivery of 2,000 new homes. Made up of five distinct character areas, the wider regeneration will also deliver retail, culture, and leisure spaces to grow Oldham’s evening and night-time economy.

It’s a plan which complements and aligns with the Council’s Green New Deal. Oldham aspires to be the greenest borough in Greater Manchester, achieving carbon neutrality by 2030. We will create opportunities for skills development and new jobs for Oldhammers, along with public spaces for people to move through the town and spend time.

There will be homes for families through to young professionals, as well as affordable homes. It’s a chance to curate a truly sustainable and mixed community. Our approach will bring millions of pounds of investment, driving long-term and sustainable economic growth.

It’s a plan built on Oldham’s industrial heritage, reflecting the diverse communities which define the place. We will celebrate Oldham’s industrial past, ensuring the new developments compliment the existing buildings for example, the Grade II listed Church of St Mary and St Peter, as well as the Oldham town centre conservation area.

The 15-year partnership between Muse and Oldham Council will enable the regeneration of council-owned brownfield land. The opportunity covers over 78ha across the historic heart of the town. By utilising these brownfield sites, we’ve got the opportunity to rethink pockets of the town centre and create generational change. We have already undertaken substantial community engagement to inform our vision. Over seven weeks in the Summer of 2024, we held a Community Conversation in the heart of Oldham.

We ran community roadshows and even attended Oldham Athletic Football Club on match day to understand what Oldhammers wanted for their town. We are already seeing progress in November 2024, enabling works began at the former leisure centre to prepare the area for regeneration and we are moving quickly – alongside the Council – to deliver a bold and ambitious new place.