Oldham Set for Transformation: Six Major Projects Poised for Approval at Crucial Council Meeting

Oldham’s skyline and town centre are on the verge of a dramatic overhaul as six major development projects prepare for approval at a special planning meeting next week. The ambitious proposals, spearheaded by developers Muse in partnership with Oldham Council, promise to deliver nearly 2,000 new homes while breathing new life into the Greater Manchester town’s struggling high streets.

The comprehensive regeneration scheme targets six key sites across the town centre, including the demolition of the iconic Queen Elizabeth Hall and current Civic Centre. The brutalist theatre, which has stood as a landmark since the 1970s, faces the wrecking ball after surveyors discovered dangerous RAAC (Reinforced Autoclaved Aerated Concrete) in its structure last year. In its place, Muse plans to construct a six-storey U-shaped residential block containing 93 apartments, with outline permission sought for an additional 745 apartments across five buildings rising between 11 and 16 storeys.

Town planners have recommended approval for all six projects, stating the developments “will make a substantial contribution to the regeneration of Oldham town centre” and “deliver a new residential neighbourhood which can act as a catalyst for further regeneration.” The proposals arrive as Oldham grapples with the same challenges facing many British town centres - declining footfall and competition from online retailers.

The former Magistrates’ Court on King Street, vacant for six years and currently used as a car park, would transform into 219 new homes across two blocks of eight and 11 storeys. Meanwhile, the Manchester Chambers complex, including its ornate Victorian frontage and deteriorating mock Tudor buildings, would see the shopping arcade demolished and replaced with 1,550 square metres of commercial and educational space.

Perhaps most symbolically, the Civic Tower - the 15-storey brutalist block visible across Greater Manchester - could become a 126-bedroom hotel. The change of use application has already generated debate among residents, with some viewing the building as an eyesore while others defend it as an important landmark.

The Prince’s Gate site near Oldham Mumps tram stop, which has seen multiple failed development attempts including proposals for Lidl and M&S stores, would finally see construction of 331 flats across three towers of six, 12 and 16 storeys. The car-free development would feature just 18 parking spaces, instead promoting public transport links and including a purpose-built taxi pick-up point.

Additional projects include 231 apartments at the former leisure centre site off St Mary’s Way, where preliminary works have already begun after the building’s demolition in 2016. All developments would incorporate ground-floor commercial units, cycle storage, and communal spaces designed to foster community interaction.

The schemes build on previous regeneration efforts, including the council’s purchase and renovation of the Spindles Shopping Centre, creation of a new linear park, and development of an Egyptian-themed food court. With no objections received for any of the planning applications, Oldham appears ready to embrace its most significant transformation in decades.

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