Work starts on £113m PFI scheme in Oldham
CONSTRUCTION work has started on the new £113m Gateways to Oldham PFI housing project following a ground breaking ceremony held at Kent Avenue in Chadderton.
Wates Living Space will now build 317 new homes and refurbish 322 council homes across four sites in the borough as part of its role in the Inspiral Oldham Consortium.
The consortium, made up of Wates, Regenter and Great Places Housing Group, signed a 25-year contract to deliver improved public housing services for Oldham Council at the end of November.
The project will also 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 new homes being built on brownfield sites at Westwood and Fitton Hill.
Steve Jackson, regional managing director at Wates Living Space, said: “This marks the start of a significant transformation in Oldham’s housing provision and we are delighted to be part of that.
“We have an excellent site team in place that have already been busy making links with the local community to ensure we utilise our presence in the borough to create local employment and training opportunities. We’re eager to get cracking – now is the time for the hard work of building to begin.”
Councillor Dave Hibbert, cabinet member for housing, transport and regeneration, said: “This is a significant scheme that will be of great benefit to local residents and businesses. After years of negotiation people will now see the plans take shape as work starts leading to greatly improved local communities and the opportunity of jobs for local people.”
