First Choice Homes Oldham has completed a £7.1 million development at Mossylea Close in Middleton, transforming a brownfield site into 29 new homes. The scheme includes 21 affordable rental properties allocated through Rochdale Council's housing register and eight shared ownership properties. Councillors Neil Emmott and Danny Meredith toured the site, praising the project as addressing the borough's housing emergency. The development consists of 24 three-bedroom houses, three two-bedroom houses, and two two-bedroom bungalows. FCHO plans to build 600 more homes in coming years, including schemes in Middleton and Heywood.
Werneth Primary School in Oldham has received planning approval from Oldham Council to build a new extension. The single-storey structure at the front of the building will house a dedicated special educational needs and disabilities (SEND) unit, allowing the school to expand its provision. The plans include a free-standing canopy in the children's playground. A planning officer's report described the design as modest with red brickwork and traditional windows, stating it would have minimal impact on the school's character and the surrounding street scene. The development is not directly adjacent to any residential properties and is exempt from biodiversity net gain requirements as it involves less than 25 square metres of hardstanding. The plans were approved on Wednesday, March 4, 2026.
Oldham Council approved a £20m project to convert Ram Mill's upper floors into 180 hotel rooms while the ground floor continues as a business centre. A separate application for 149 homes on Butterworth Lane, Chadderton, was approved despite traffic concerns, with 40% designated as affordable housing. Woodlands Primary School received permission to build a single-storey extension to create more SEND places, though several trees will be removed and replaced. The Butterworth Lane site previously housed South Chadderton School and Collective Spirit School, both closed following scandals.
Oldham Council has removed an unpopular element from its Royton town centre improvement plans after public consultation. The original proposals included removing certain pedestrian guard rails, but residents raised concerns about this decision. Following discussions between Oldham Council, Transport for Greater Manchester, and MP Jim McMahon, the guard rails will remain in place in areas recommended by a coroner following past fatalities. The Royton town centre scheme is part of the wider Royton-Oldham-Ashton Quality Bus Transit corridor project, funded by the government's City Region Sustainable Transport Settlement. Construction is set to begin next week.
Oldham Council has validated several planning applications submitted last week. Proposals include two-storey rear extensions at 73 Lea View in Royton and 39 Lindale Avenue in Chadderton. A property at 15 Belmont Avenue in Springhead seeks a two-storey side extension, rear dormer, and new front dormer. A single-storey rear extension is planned for 26 Becket Meadows. Additionally, Innovative Business Park on Derker Street has applied for two illuminated cut letter 'reception' wayfinding signs to be mounted on the entrance canopy.
Oldham Liberal Democrats have challenged claims by council leader Arooj Shah that contracts for the Eton Star Academy are signed, stating no terms exist for transferring Tommyfield Market land to the school. The controversial project involves giving council-owned town centre land to Eton College for a new academy. Critics argue the site could be used for retail, leisure or hospitality instead, and question how many local children will benefit. Council leader Shah defends the plan as bringing a world-class institution to Oldham and recruiting talented students from disadvantaged backgrounds, while denying it will undermine existing education provision.
Park Cake Limited has received permission to demolish the former Honeywell Arms pub at 491 Ashton Road in Oldham to expand its bakery grounds. The pub, which stood boarded-up since September 2024 after being purchased by the bakery, was a former Robinsons Brewery establishment that struggled to remain open. Council planners approved the demolition, citing the building's long-term decline and lack of investment since 2008. The demolition will take place over two weeks with restricted work hours to minimize impact on nearby residents.
Oldham Council and Transport for Greater Manchester are proceeding with Royton town centre improvements after addressing safety concerns raised by MP Jim McMahon and residents. The scheme, part of the Rochdale-Oldham-Ashton corridor improvements funded through the City Region Sustainable Transport Settlement, will retain guardrails in areas recommended by a coroner following past fatalities. Construction is expected to start next week, bringing wider pavements, safer crossings, better bus access, improved lighting, seating, and new planting. The project aims to improve bus reliability, make walking and wheeling easier and safer, and support local businesses.
Oldham Council has launched a public consultation on development plans for Beal Valley and Broadbent Moss. The masterplan proposes new housing, a Metrolink stop at Cop Road with park and ride, improved walking and cycling connections, and enhanced open spaces. Councillor Elaine Taylor, Deputy Leader and Cabinet Member for Neighbourhoods, said the plans will deliver affordable housing and better connectivity. The consultation runs from Monday 2nd March until Friday 27th March 2026. Documents are available online at www.oldham.gov.uk and in local libraries and the Spindles Shopping Centre Customer Service Centre.
Residents of Bullcote Green in Oldham are opposing traffic plans for a 1,700-home development near Bullcote Lane, Royton. The proposals would make Bullcote Lane one-way eastbound and turn Bullcote Green into the main traffic route. More than 60 residents have signed a petition against the plans, citing concerns about noise, pollution, safety for children, and the destruction of their community. Retired engineer Brian Gilbraith, 71, said the plans would be 'devastating' and reduce house values. Residents prefer building a new spine road in the first phase rather than waiting. Oldham Council has launched a new consultation open until March 27, 2026.
A consortium of five housebuilders has submitted plans to build 1,700 homes on land around Beal Valley and Broadbent Moss in Oldham. The development includes new roads, a Metrolink stop at Cop Road, and local centres with community amenities. A draft masterplan was approved last year, with Kellen Homes already applying for 248 homes near Bullcote Lane. The council is conducting a new consultation using the same documents, causing a 12-month delay that could increase developers' costs. The land was allocated for housing under the Places for Everyone agreement, which faced opposition from greenbelt campaigners. Residents have raised concerns about traffic, parking, and lack of new facilities to support the additional households.
Planning application submitted to convert eight-bedroom home on Greenacres Road into respite care facility for children with additional needs. The facility would provide eight overnight and ten daytime places, operating 24/7 with 13 full-time staff. NW Care Property Limited is the applicant, with no internal or external changes planned. The property currently has 12 parking spaces and staff rotas are staggered to avoid peak clustering. The application seeks change of use permission as the property is currently a dwelling.
Planning application submitted to convert eight-bedroom home on Greenacres Road into respite care facility for children with additional needs. The facility would provide eight overnight places and ten daytime places, operating 24/7 with 13 full-time staff. NW Care Property Limited is the applicant, with no internal or external changes planned to the property. The site currently has 12 parking spaces that will remain unchanged. The facility would be accessed via Lynwood Drive, with staggered staff rotas to avoid peak clustering.
Oldham Council has validated multiple planning applications across the borough, including proposals for dormers at Barmouth Court and Brompton Street, a single-storey rear extension at Brewerton Road, and a retrospective stone garden wall and driveway at Westfield Drive in Grasscroft. Other applications include a non-material amendment to a Broadway Green development, a rear extension at Manor Farm Barn in Knowls Lane, and a certificate of lawful development for a single-storey extension in Argyll Close, Failsworth. Applications also cover a side extension with patio at Hill Top in Chadderton and a discharge of conditions for a Hathershaw site.
Oldham Council has validated multiple planning applications from March 17-23, 2026, including proposals for new dormers at Barmouth Court and Brompton Street, a single-storey rear extension at Brewerton Road, and a retrospective stone garden wall at Westfield Drive. Other applications include a non-material amendment to a Broadway Green development, a side extension with patio at Hill Top, and a certificate of lawful development for a single-storey extension at Argyll Close. A discharge of conditions application was also submitted for land off Thatcher Street.
Oldham Council has validated several planning applications from the past week, including proposals for new dormers at 3 Barmouth Court and 59 Brompton Street, a single-storey rear extension at 20 Brewerton Road, and a retrospective application for a stone garden wall and driveway at 2 Westfield Drive, Grasscroft. Other applications include a non-material amendment to Lydia Becker Way development, a side extension with patio at 1 Hill Top, Chadderton, and a certificate of lawful development for a single-storey extension at 13 Argyll Close, Failsworth. Applications also cover a rear extension to Manor Farm Barn and discharge of conditions for a site off Thatcher Street, Hathershaw.
Greater Manchester is developing a new transport strategy for 2050 with a delivery plan covering 2027-2037. The current strategy 2040 and five-year delivery plan 2021-2026 will be replaced. Public consultation runs from December 9, 2025 to March 9, 2026. The strategy aims to create a world-class Bee Network connecting bus, tram, train, walking, wheeling and cycling. The new strategy sets long-term goals while the delivery plan explains implementation. Local implementation plans exist for each of Greater Manchester's ten local authorities including Oldham.
Oldham has secured £31.5 million from Greater Manchester's Good Growth Fund for the Prince's Gate development, delivering 331 new homes including 75 social housing units next to Oldham Mumps station. This forms part of a wider plan to create 2,000 new homes across Oldham town centre over the next decade. The investment is part of the first £400m allocation from the £1bn GM Good Growth Fund, which will unlock nearly 3,000 homes, 22,000 jobs and 2 million square feet of employment space across Greater Manchester. The Prince's Gate car park has closed to enable construction starting later this year.
Oldham Council has begun construction of its first large-scale solar farm at Wrigley Head in Failsworth. The 830,000 kWh facility, funded entirely by the Council, will power approximately 310 homes annually. Built by Vital Energi over the next few months, it's part of Oldham's Green New Deal initiative to create green jobs and training opportunities. The project will improve wildlife conditions through new tree and flower planting, with security fencing designed to allow animal movement. MP Jim McMahon and Cllr Abdul Jabbar attended the site launch, with operations expected to begin in spring 2026.
Oldham Council has begun construction on Tommyfield Park, a new five-acre town centre park named after the historic Tommyfield Market. A new play area opened in December 2025 as part of ongoing town centre regeneration. The council achieved Gold status in the Armed Forces Employer Recognition Scheme. The former Oldham Coliseum Theatre building will reopen in 2026 after redevelopment. Oldham Council Leader Cllr Arooj Shah visited Oldham Sixth Form College to discuss politics with students. The council won the Local Government Chronicle's Most Improved Council Award 2025. VE Day 80th anniversary events are planned for May 8, 2025. A £5 million investment was announced for Oldham's 'SportsTown' initiative.