Reporter: Charlotte Hall, Local Democracy Reporter
Date published: 20 January 2025
The Southlink office block, near Oldham Mumps. Image courtesy of Google Maps
A vacant Oldham office block council bosses fear is ‘likely to attract vandalism and anti-social behaviour’ could be demolished to make way for 140 new homes.
The town hall re-approved plans to bulldoze the Southlink building, near Oldham Mumps, at a cabinet meeting.
The vacant site is due to be developed by the Vistry Partnership, which bought the land from the council and Transport for Greater Manchester in October last year.
Vistry agreed to construct 146 affordable homes, including 32 for social rent and 77 for rent at 80 per cent of market value.
Demolition had already been previously approved at the site.
Progress came to a halt after a bid to sell the land to Tilia Homes fell through.
Oldham’s cabinet member for ‘decent homes’, Elaine Taylor, said: “The demolition will enable the site to be readied for construction and remove a vacant building which is likely to attract vandalism and anti-social behaviour, especially at night and weekends which will inevitably cost the council additional money to keep the building safe and secure.”
Plans for the site will include ‘100 per cent low carbon homes’ which would help home owners and renters save money on bills, according to the council.
The homes will be fitted with heat pumps and insulation that stops heat escaping and saves energy.
Council leader boss Arooj Shah previously described the proposed development as a ‘huge’ win in light of the housing crisis faced by Oldham Council, with more than 7,000 residents on a waiting list for social housing.
The council is expecting to see a planning application submitted by spring, when members of the public can have their say on the plans.