Road infrastructure to serve a £35 million development of new employment space, hundreds of homes and jobs at Oldham’s ‘strategic gateway' has been approved.
A new road and roundabout will be built at land off Roman Road, bounded by the M60 motorway to provide the infrastructure for a massive redevelopment in Failsworth.
The plans were approved by the borough's planning committee unanimously at a meeting at the Civic Centre, after being recommended for the green light by officers.
The 15.5 acres of land previously housed a redundant gas holder, the removal of which is a 'significant milestone' for the project according to council leader Sean Fielding.
Planning officer Graham Dickman told members that the site has been put forward for comprehensive redevelopment for a variety of employment uses.
“It’s one of a number that will eventually come forward in connection with a previous outline approval on a currently vacant site, just to the south of the Hollinwood Junction," he said.
“This is merely for the highway works to facilitate a future development which as it comes forward will perform a role of regenerating that part of the borough in a quite strategically important location.”
The new roundabout infrastructures that will serve the redevelopment plots for the future of the site.
The Hollinwood Junction development will feature 30 acres of land across three development sites, which will be used as a hub for businesses, as well as community and leisure space.
The plan is being delivered by Oldham council, in partnership with property firm Langtree, and aims to make the area a ‘credible business alternative’ to the centre of Manchester.
Once complete it is envisaged that the development will contain up to 150 family homes and boost the local economy with 760 new jobs.
It is hoped that the location of the site, which is close to both the M60 motorway and the Metrolink line between Rochdale and Manchester, will be an opportunity to establish a ‘regionally important’ employment destination at a key gateway site into Oldham.
Failsworth West councillor Peter Davis added: “I drive past there every time I come up here and I’ve always thought when is it going to be developed.
"So I’m totally for it - we need good jobs we need whatever facilities are going to be there for people. And it looks great.”
