The Hollinwood Business District Masterplan
Significant changes to the area around the junction of the A62 Manchester Road and the M60 Motorway have taken place in recent years with the closure of the Roxy cinema, the development of the Northern Counties Office Headquarters, developments at Tweedale Way, Servicecare and at Hollinwood Business Centre. Further development is anticipated as existing businesses grow and new investors move into the area.
The Hollinwood Business District Masterplan shows how the area could be redeveloped in the future to improve the local environment and to provide high quality jobs for residents of Oldham. The Masterplan was produced by Roger Tym consultants and was commissioned by OMBC and English Partnerships.
The plan was produced in response to Oldham Beyond, which sets out a vision for the future of Oldham and highlights Hollinwood as a key employment site capable of attracting major investment. It is also recognised as one of the most important employment sites within Greater Manchester.
The Masterplan ‘Vision’
The Masterplan sets out the following vision for the future of the area:
‘A new business led district for Oldham – that meets Oldham’s needs for good quality business space in an efficient and attractive environment to support a growing and productive local economy.’
Ideas for Future Development
The consultants have put forward some ideas on how different parts of the area could be developed in the future. These ideas are outlined below:
Hollinwood Bowl (Albert Street area)
The main elements could include:
- A new landscaped office park constructed in a ring around Hollinwood Business Centre;
- A new company headquarters development on the A62 frontage;
- A realignment of Hollins Road to create a larger development site around the former Roxy Cinema;
- The possibility of new housing and greenspace facing Kaskenmoor school on Roman Road.
- A new water feature, based along the line of the former Hollinwood Branch Canal.
Hollinwood Basin (Oldham Road / Mersey Road North)
Developments in this area could include:
- Office development along the A62 frontage with some retail and commercial development;
- A new water feature, providing a potential link between the Hollinwood Branch Canal and the Rochdale Canal.
Pump Street / Drury Lane
The layout could include:
- A landmark hotel and office development at the M60 / A62 junction
- Small-scale offices along the A62 frontage running towards Drury Lane.
- Retention of the existing industrial area adjacent to the railway.
The Next Steps
A public consultation into the Hollinwood Masterplan demonstrated that there is strong support for the vision of Hollinwood as a ‘new business led district’ However, a number of issues were also raised that will be taken into account in developing the proposals further.These included issues relating to:
- open space provision;
- the need for new residential development;
- the impact of the proposals on traffic levels;
- the need for facilities for young people;
- the creation of employment opportunities for local people; and
- the impact of any future development on nearby houses
Further work will now be undertaken to assess the feasibility of some of the ideas presented in the Masterplan and take account of comments received.
The precise form and timing of redevelopment will also be affected by economic conditions.
Although the `Credit Crunch` is slowing down development activity across the country, some progress has already been made towards delivering the vision for Hollinwood. Recent activity has included:
Completion of Phase 2 extension to Hollinwood Business Centre;
Appointment of the Langtree Group plc as the Council's development partner for Hollinwood;
Demolition of the former Roxy Cinema and temporary landscaping of the site;
Demolition of vacant and derelict properties on Pump Street, Alford Street and Manchester Road;
The making of a Compulsory Purchase Order (CPO) to acquire land and property in the Pump Stree, Alford Street area for a new hotel and office development. A Public Inquiry to consider objections to the CPO has been arranged for January 2009;
The submission of an outline planning application for an office and hotel development at Pump Street/Alford Street;
The approval of plans for a new office development on the EDM site on Manchester Road;
Completion of new factory units at Bowling Street and
The completion of a Transport Study to assess the impact of the Masterplan proposals on local roads and traffic.
If you would like further information on the Hollinwood Masterplan, or would like to comment further on any aspect of the proposals, please contact either Kieran Cummings (0161 911 5153) or John Billington (0161 911 3007).