Oldham Mumps: 300+ homes in three tower blocks planned

Tower blocks are coming to Oldham Mumps after years of false starts, with plans for 331 new homes on the former Prince's Gate car park finally moving forward. The council has approved the development, which includes 75 affordable homes, shops, and green spaces, backed by £31.5m from the GMCA's Good Growth Fund plus government money.

This isn't the first attempt to develop the site-M&S and Lidl both pulled out of previous schemes that would have brought shops and a hotel to the area. Now the council is racing to find a main construction contractor and housing association to manage the social housing, with final decisions being made by senior officers rather than through public meetings due to the pre-election period.

The development forms part of a wider regeneration plan that could see the creation of a Mayoral Development Corporation, giving the project special powers to speed up delivery. Council leader Arooj Shah called it a 'defining milestone' for Oldham's town centre, while deputy leader Elaine Taylor acknowledged residents' scepticism after previous promises failed to materialise.

A six-week public consultation will take place before any MDC is formed, giving residents a chance to have their say. The council says it's being 'extremely proactive' in its search for contractors, with the aim of turning the long-dormant site into a thriving new community space that could transform the heart of Oldham.