New EV parking spots to be installed at major Oldham shopping centre car park

Electric vehicle drivers shopping at Elk Mill will soon have more charging options after Oldham Council approved plans for 16 new EV parking spaces. The charging bays will be installed in the eastern section of the shopping park's car park, replacing existing spaces near the Starbucks and residential properties on Farholme Lane.

The development includes not just the parking spaces but also lighting, CCTV, power units, and a substation to support the charging infrastructure. Planning officers determined the changes wouldn't affect traffic flow or the site's appearance, noting that EV charging facilities are becoming standard in modern developments.

The application sailed through without any objections from residents or businesses, and was formally approved on Tuesday, April 7. This brings Elk Mill in line with other major shopping destinations that have been adding EV charging facilities to meet growing demand from electric vehicle owners.

For shoppers with electric cars, the new charging points mean they can top up their batteries while running errands or grabbing a coffee. The location near residential properties on Farholme suggests the council considered convenience for local residents who might want to charge their vehicles while visiting the shops.