The ‘vibrant’ new green space that could transform Oldham town centre
Oldham Council has submitted a planning application to transform a former car park into a new green space called 'Linear Park', which will feature gravel paths, a central lawn, a children's play area, and picnic benches. This is part of a larger project, 'Jubilee Park', aimed at regenerating the town centre, including the demolition of Tommyfield Market hall and the creation of new homes, jobs, and investment opportunities.
Oldham Council has submitted plans to convert a former car park into what could become the first piece of a much larger green corridor being designed for the town centre.
The proposal covers the asphalted triangle at the junction of Rock Street and Lord Street, next to Oldham Parish Church and the Victorian market hall. If granted, the permission would create a temporary “Linear Park” with a central lawn, gravel paths, seating terraces, a children’s play zone and 58 new trees, while almost all the self-seeded greenery that has colonised the site since the demolition of the adjacent leisure complex in 2016 would be retained.
Officers say the pocket park is only an opening phase of a long-term vision called “Jubilee Park”, a chain of landscaped spaces intended to run right through Oldham. The eventual route is expected to absorb the soon-to-be-vacant Tommyfield Market hall, cleared this summer after traders relocate, and several adjoining blocks already pencilled for future housing-led redevelopment.
Documents released by the council describe the Linear Park as “a catalyst for economic growth” and a key component of its wider “Creating a Better Place” strategy, which targets 2,000 town-centre homes, 1,000 new jobs, 100 apprenticeships and £285 million of inward investment over the next decade.
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