Muse lands £550m Oldham partnership
Oldham Council has partnered with Muse, a Morgan Sindall’s subsidiary to front multi-site town centre regeneration scheme, as part of a wider regeneration plan.
The partnership will see the development of a new neighbourhood in the town centre, with approximately 2,000 new mixed-tenure homes set to be built over the coming years across eight sites, including the Civic Centre and former leisure centre sites.
It is hoped that a new town centre park will anchor the new communities, providing a green space for multi-purpose community events and activities, converting it from a solely retail centric space.
Arooj Shah, leader of Oldham Council says: “By building on so-called ‘brownfield’ sites, we can protect green and open space from development, as well as bringing people into the heart of our town centre.”
The project is part of the Creating a Better Place plan which aims to transform Oldham, creating investment opportunities of £285m and over 1,000 new jobs and 100 apprenticeship opportunities, while supporting Oldham’s housing increase need.
A new theatre will be developed at the centre of the cultural quarter, preserving the town’s heritage. The development of new food halls, shops and family-orientated activity hubs is set to see increased footfall.
Phil Mayall, managing director of North West at Muse says: “We’re at the start of our journey with the council and we’re very much looking forward to getting out in the community as soon as we’re able, as we build a brighter future for Oldham, together.”
A master agreement has been negotiated during the procurement process; the deal includes the opportunity to extend the original 15-year development plan by a further 10 years.