Capital Development Programme
What are Capital Projects?
Capital Projects are the most visible outputs of regeneration. They are generally construction/building projects, which change the look and infrastructure of an area. They are not a stand alone theme of the NDC programming but are used to support the development of the themes and their links to the community.
They range in scope from small minor repairs through to full large-scale projects and stretch across all of the NDC’s themes. Below are projects which are ongoing and ones completed.
Ashton Road Corridor
Work to revamp some of the run down shops on Ashton Road has started in a bid to attract shoppers back to the area and boost the economy.
The second section if the first phase of the Ashton Road shop refurbishment programme is well underway. The Academny hairdressers have moved from 322-324 into its new premises at 330 and the remedial works on the former are in progress.
Surveys are currently taking place on the premises from Neild Street down to the Greaves Arms plus 363 - 369 as well as Magic Carpets and Italian Furniture on the other side of Ashton Road. This forms the second phase of the programme and work will commence on site in the summer.
Residential Refurbishments
Thanks to money secured through Housing Market Renewal funding there have been a number of projects aimed at improving the apperance of this important gateway to Oldham.
Landscaping have started on the piece of land opposite Copsterhill Road, which forms the Hathershaw North gateway to the town. The deelict piece of land, which was once the site of a row of terraced houses, will be transformed to make a landscaped area for people to sit and relax. The site will also incorporate a colourful sculpture designed by children from Broadfield School.
Further down Ashton Road external refurbishment works are ongoing to residential properties. The first blocks to recieve the repairs, which include the rebuilding of boundary walls, brick cleaning and gutter replacements, were 585 - 627. Also there has been some tarmacing of alleyways in this area to ease resident's access. These have been completed with some complimentary results.
The Facelift works have now started on the properties on the other side of Ashton Road, numbers 464 - 488. To help improve the enivronment further, work is ongoing to create green spaces along Ashton Road.
A similar package of refurbishments has started on 3 - 61 Broadway Street, as part of the Hathershaw North improvements and work is ongoing to create colourful safe routes to school through signs and pavement art.
Work is also in progress to get people to sign up to the scheme on Neild Stree as part of the Borough Mill Triangle improvements (numbers 38 - 56 and 18 - 24). Work will start on Neild Street in April 2008.
Belgrave Mill 2
We have targeted the Belgrave Mill site for the development of managed work-space units to accomodate the increasing demand for goog quality space for manufacturing and production processes.
Earl Mill will also be developed as office space to accomodate new companies in an incubation unit to provide graduation space into which these and other companies can move as they grow and become more successful.
The NDC plans to create a managed office space enterprise zone at Earl Mill by conerting and refurbishment the top floor and part of the annex of the former Littlewoods distribution centre, which is an area of over 33,000sq ft.
The new enterprise zone will house the Enterprise Factory , which will move prior to the demolition of Borough mill under the "Triangle" Masterplan.
In addition there has been a demand for a recording studio and creative arts performing/rehearsal space, which could be housed in the two-storey annex previously occupied by Rayners Transport.
Development of new Neighourhood centre
The NDC and OMBC are in discussions with the Primary Care Trust for the development of the Neighbourhood Centre, which is hoped will include several doctors' surgeries, a new libary and additional training/community space. The spatial requirement for the potential users groups is being correlated and this will then allow us to estimate the cost for the construction.
The June board will make a decision on the development of the facility and the funding options for this.
Development of Other health facilities in the NDC area.
The NDC has been working with the PCT to establish additional health provision within the NDC area. These are:
Marjorie Lees Dental Practice
A decision on this application is scheduled for early sumer 08.
Crofton Street Doctors practice
The new doctors at the practice, with the support of PCT, are looking to relocate within the NDC area. Several locations are being looked at.
Development of new Sports Zone
The NDC has developed a design brief for the phased development of a new Sports Facility in fitton Hill and is presently costly the various alternatives. These costing figures will then be used to make a case to the council so that the land can be made available to progress the project.
Once approved discussions with user groups and the public will go ahead and an update will go to the JUne board.
Schools Playing Pitches
The project has been approved and further discussions will be ongoing with the relevant schools in May/June to take this project forward.
Disabled Access improvements to Churches
The work to the Ashton Road congregation has been completed and is presently in th snagging phase. The design for the ramp and toilets to St Paul's has been re-issued to the diocese who have given provisional approval for the works to start.
Langham House
The new NDC Head Office on Ashton Road is complete and staff moved in at the end of January 2008. Residents and partners are welcome to pop in and visit the Delivery team in thier new premises.
Completed Capital Projects
The Honeywell Centre
The Honeywell Centre is now open, work has now finished on the Youth wing and it is now fully operational. The project was completed 3 months ahead of schedule and approximately 10% under budget. Contact number for the centre is 0161 621 3900.
Netball Centre at Hathershaw Technology College
The NDC contributed a grant of £30,000 to the completion of this prestigious netball Centre. The venue has a dual purpose: to provide a key sports facility to allow youngsters to progress to excellence in the sport and to give residents of all ages a unique sporting facility on their doorstep.
BMX/ Skate Park on Fitton Hill
This pioneering skatepark was fully funded by the NDC programme opened in July 2005. It is well used by young people in the area and from elsewhere in the Borough. Security fencing around the Skate Park has now been installed and all work has been completed in May 2007
Fencing to St Paul's Bowling Green
Work has been completed to the fencing to the green and this will be further supported by work to the car park to the club.
Street Lighting
The survey of the lights has been carried out to check which ones are on. If there are any comments or complaints on this work they should be directed to the Council's street lighting department as they are the owners and managers of the system.