Work starts in Gateway to Oldham

Construction of the £113 million Gateways to Oldham project started on Monday following a ground breaking ceremony held at Kent Avenue in central Chadderton.

Wates Living Space will now build 317 new council homes and refurbish 322 council homes across four sites in the borough as part of its role in the Inspiral Oldham Consortium.

The Consortium, which comprises Wates, Great Places Housing Group and Regenter, signed a 25-year contract to deliver improved public housing services for Oldham Council at the end of November.

The project will see enhanced recreational facilities including two new community centres and a retail unit, improved parking, footpaths and street lighting and management and maintenance of the estates over the 25-year period.

Areas earmarked for improvements include the Crossley and Primrose Bank estates with the new homes built on brownfield sites at Westwood and Fitton Hill.